Photo By Airman 1st Class Donnell Schroeter | From left to right, U.S. Navy Commadore Capt. Doug Whimpey, Navy Expeditionary Combat...... read more read more
Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) has proven to be a game-changer for the Naval Construction Force, fostering community ties while enhancing military readiness. Recently, Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 25 (NMCB 25) participated in a heartwarming project on the Navajo Nation, exemplifying the profound impact of IRT initiatives.
The Malone family's new home in Gallup, New Mexico, stands as a testament to the collaborative efforts between the Department of Defense and the Southwest Indian Foundation. This project aimed to increase the quality of life for Alvin Malone, a disabled Navajo military descendent, and provide invaluable training for military personnel.
The IRT initiative resumed on April 21, 2024, after a hiatus due to 2020 setbacks. NMCB 25, along with NMCB 22 and the 567th Rapid Engineer Deployable, Heavy Operational Repair Squadron, Engineer (RED HORSE) Squadron, came together to build an ADA compliant home for Alvin Malone. The Malone family, whose legacy of military service dates back to World War II, now looks forward to a more comfortable and accessible living environment.
Lt. j.g.Erin Crider, the project’s officer in charge (OIC) said "Working with the local community and providing homes for low-income veterans in the Navajo Nation has been really rewarding. The humanitarian aspects of what the Seabees do are very important to me and should be publicized more."
Alvin's father, Richard Malone, was a WWII Army veteran who served under Lieutenant General George S. Patton, Richard passed away in 2018 and so the house was passed on to his son Alvin and his family. Alvin has been in close communication with the Seabees as they work on the project often exchanging memories of his father and exchanging family recipes.
Innovative Readiness Training projects like these offer significant benefits beyond the immediate construction. They serve as live training environments for military personnel, simulating the unpredictable conditions they might face in the field. For instance, the project in Gallup required the Seabees to navigate the logistical challenges of building in a remote area, working with limited resources, and coordinating with local organizations. This mirrors the complexities they might encounter during actual deployments, thereby honing their problem-solving and adaptability skills.
Ethan Preuss, a Builder Second Class (BU2) from Leslie, Michigan, highlighted the personal growth these projects foster: “It's been really fun to see what other trades do on job sites. As a journeyman electrician, it's interesting to see how everything else in the house gets put together and being a part of that process. It's helped me appreciate all aspects of construction.”
Moreover, IRT projects often involve collaboration across different military branches and units, fostering a spirit of joint effort and mutual support. In the Gallup project, the combined expertise of the Seabees, and the 567th RED HORSE Squadron exemplified how diverse skills and experiences can be brought together to achieve a common goal. This joint approach not only enhances interoperability but also builds camaraderie and understanding among the troops.
“Training happens on-site. We usually have a subject matter expert oversee tasks to ensure they're done correctly and teach others. Before each stage, we do a short intro, like how to lay out a wall or use a nail gun, then let them get to work and build.” Said Chief Burkhardt
Capt. Douglas Whimpey, Commodore of First Naval Construction Regiment (1st NCR), emphasized the importance of this collaboration: “Interoperability is becoming more important every day in combat and in jobs like these. When we have a chance to apply it on an exercise, it’s absolutely crucial. Having different services working together allows us to learn, to speak the same language, coordinate, and collaborate effectively.”
The value of these projects extends to the broader community. By addressing critical infrastructure needs, IRT projects help build trust and goodwill between the military and local populations. For the Navajo Nation, the construction of a new home for the Malone family was more than just a building project; it was a significant gesture of respect and support for their community.
EO2 Alex Rodriguez, an equipment operator, reflected on his experience: “We talked to (Alvin) and had a meal with the future owners of this home, who live right next door. His name is Alvin. It was a great experience. We prayed before our meal, which his sister provided for us. It was very welcoming and a good experience.”
Robert Keucher NATO Resource and IRT Program Manager noted that “As the Naval Construction Force restructured both active and reserve components, it concluded that IRT provides construction opportunities aligned with the core capabilities of General Contractors Company (GCC), Mineral Production Company (MPC), and Ground Lines of Communication Company (GLOCC).”
Looking ahead, the Innovative Readiness Training (IRT) program is poised for expansion, with plans to increase the scope and impact of its projects. Future initiatives aim to build on the program's success by fostering even stronger civil-military partnerships and addressing more diverse community needs across the United States and its territories. Enhanced collaboration with local governments and organizations will ensure that IRT missions continue to deliver critical services while providing robust training opportunities for military personnel. As the program grows, its dual focus on readiness and community service will remain at its core, preparing service members and contributing to the resilience and well-being of communities nationwide.
Alvin Malone took the floor to say thank you. His voice, filled with emotion, carried a message of hope and gratitude saying: “I want to thank the service-men and women for all the hard-work you did. Just last week, after I was done praying I talked to Josh (a Seabee) and he noticed three hawks flying in a circle, as they flew higher they got lost into the clouds. That was my father, Richard, saying thank you" As the final rays of the desert sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the newly built home, the Seabees left the job-site one more time looking forward to giving the new home its final touch. The Seabees with SWIF will hand-over the house to the Malone family the following week.
Naval Construction Group One (NCG1) operates from its homeport and serves as the Immediate Superior in Command (ISIC) for its assigned forces. NCG1 leads and manages the overall capability and readiness of Naval Construction Regiments (NCR’s), Naval Mobile Construction Battalions (NMCB’s), Construction Battalion Maintenance Unit (CBMU), and Underwater Construction Team (UCT). NCG1 is responsible for manning, training, equipping and deploying combat-ready Naval Construction Force (NCF) units in support of combatant commanders (CCDRs) and Navy component commander (NCC). NCG1 also provides program management and oversight in support of subordinate units and supports the Navy Expeditionary Combat Enterprise Force Development (Fd) efforts. NCG1 provides the required engineering support that the Navy and Nation needs to construct and maintain base facilities, repair battle damaged facilities, conduct defensive operations as required, and to meet disaster preparedness and recovery missions.
| Date Taken: | 06.18.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2024 19:23 |
| Story ID: | 474331 |
| Location: | GALLUP, NEW MEXICO, US |
| Web Views: | 746 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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