Photo By Sgt. Ryan Scribner | U.S. Army Sgt. Erik Morales, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and driving instructor with...... read more read more
FORT DRUM, N.Y. – Nine New York Army National Guard Soldiers with the 369th Sustainment Brigade, completed Expando Van training, on August 5, 2024, at a motor pool in the O’Brien Readiness Training Center here during the brigade’s annual training.
M1087A1 Expandable Van training began during the brigade’s inactive duty training weekend in May 2024 and culminated with a driving test.
The test was given to Soldiers who passed the preliminary written test, preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) evaluation, vehicle operation and ground guide practice, and were evaluated on their ability to safely, legally and skillfully operate the vehicle.
However, Spc. Isaac Adjei, an automated logistics specialist with the brigade’s support operations (SPO), distribution integration branch, failed to pass the driving test on his first attempt.
“My first time through, I forgot to do something critical during the test,” Adjei said. “I felt like I let my section down.”
According to the Army, driver’s training increases readiness by providing Soldiers with a wider range of skills to complete tasks.
Expando Van driving training enables Soldiers to effectively move a vehicle that can expand to become a mobile work center or even command center, which is crucial for maintaining communication and coordination in the field.
For a Soldier relatively new to his section, Adjei understands that his assignments—driver’s training as one example—are preparations that will enable him to contribute to future missions.
Pfc. Katherine Londono, another automated supply specialist in the brigade’s SPO, noted that her senior leadership emphasized the importance of vehicle training during the May-August training periods, explaining that the vehicle will be used in future convoy operations and requires trained operators to drive.
“The passage of months between the start of this course and the culmination helped me understand better what my section does, and why this training matters,” Londono said.
Completing training to standard is essential for the success of future missions, but it also introduces significant pressure on Soldiers. This pressure is common in military training, and ultimately, each service member, after receiving training, determines how to manage and respond to it.
This is why the Army deems proper instruction from competent instructors one of its most important tasks.
Pfc. Ketlyne Altidor, a third automated supply specialist with the SPO, said that she was nervous before she took the driving test, but Sgt. Erik Morales, a wheeled vehicle mechanic, and driving instructor with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 369th Special Troops Battalion, advised her clearly, confidently, and calmly, and she felt more confident as the miles went on.
Adjei was told by Morales, his instructor, the specific mistake he made and when he took the driving test again, he passed and is now authorized to drive the Expando Van.
This rigorous training—and re-training when needed—program ensured that the Soldiers not only met the Army's high standards but also prepared them for future convoy operations where their skills in operating the Expando Van will be crucial.
The combination of hands-on experience, guidance from seasoned instructors, and the dedication to mastering these vital tasks underscores the importance of such training in the brigade's mission readiness.
“After retaking and ultimately passing the driving test, I feel like I have more tools to contribute to the success of team!” Adjei said.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 08.19.2024 20:36 |
| Story ID: | 478574 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 56 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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