Photo By Sgt. Maria Tsukino | Spc. Carlos Vidot assigned to the 333rd Engineer Company operates a forklift during...... read more read more
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JOINT MULTINATIONAL READINESS CENTER, Germany— Soldiers of the the U.S. Army Reserve are at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC) near Hohenfels, Germany for Transatlantic Castle (TAC) 24-1. Despite challenges imposed by Bavaria’s erratic spring weather, Soldiers of the 983rd Engineering Battalion, the 333rd Engineer Construction Company (ECC), and 475th Engineer Vertical Construction Company (EVCC) pressed forward with their work building wood frame and concrete structures, constructing airfield surfaces, and conducting hauling and excavation operations during the dates of April 5-26th, 2024.
“They have all the heart in the world to represent their units well. The weather has been tough on them, cold temperature wise, but it hasn’t slowed them down.” Said Sgt. 1st Class Anna Ma, a leader from the JMRC Troop Construction Command.
JMRC works to provide an operational training environment for the U.S. military as well as multinational partners. The training area contains 1,400 buildings and 300 kilometers of roads and tank trails, which are used year-round by rotational units for various events. As a result, the buildings and roads require maintenance. This creates a unique opportunity for the engineering units to sharpen their skills in general engineering capabilities, project management, and troop leading procedures while assisting JMRC with general upkeep of the training grounds.
CW3 Jeremy Stevenson, the 983rd Engineering Battalion’s survey and design chief, expressed a desire for all his soldiers to learn as much as they can about troop movements, safety protocols, and the depths of construction knowledge to help develop them into future project managers. “They are falling in on equipment they don’t necessarily know and a command structure not organic to their unit, so there’s all these new things to keep them excited and engaged, as well as the depth of the projects. The project itself gives them new construction challenges, but, at the same time, the ability to use and show their knowledge.”
The renovated projects at JMRC will continue to be used during major training events while the experience gained by the Soldiers can be put towards projects in disaster relief and humanitarian efforts as well as careers outside military endeavors.
“This experience can carry into the civilian world rather than miscellaneous projects that don’t carry into traditional carpentry. It’s much more in depth.” said Spc. Matthew McWilliams, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 333rd ECC.
Training was overseen by JMRC’s observer coach trainers (OCTs), professionals specializing in military procedures and engineering. An OCT’s job is to observe incoming units and instruct leaders, ensuring exercises are conducted appropriately and construction projects are completed.
“They do a good job of guiding us down the path, but not giving us the answer,” said Stevenson.
While JMRC leadership has many construction aspirations for the year’s upcoming TAC rotations, the main objective is providing Soldiers with a dynamic and instructional experience.
“Our ultimate goal is for the soldiers to have amazing training and an amazing experience for them to take back home. We want them to feel like this was something worth joining the military for.” Said Ma.
| Date Taken: | 04.23.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 04.25.2024 02:55 |
| Story ID: | 469224 |
| Location: | BAYERN, DE |
| Web Views: | 51 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Transatlantic Castle 24-1 at JMRC, by SGT Rebecca Call, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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