Photo By Mark Abueg | Billy Stewart, logistics management supervisor, left, assists Chris Culbert, auto...... read more read more
FORT POLK, La. – Usually when stationed on an Army post, you can drive to your local Clothing Issue Facility within 10 to 15 minutes. For Civilians of the 579th Engineer Detachment (Forward Engineer Support Team - Main) stationed in Vicksburg, Miss., there is no local CIF, so they made the five-plus hour drive to Fort Polk, La. for their tactical gear last Friday, Nov. 20.
Unit members received over 35 pieces of equipment, including wet weather gear, a sleeping bag, a flak vest, an entrenching tool, knee and elbow pads, the Modular Lightweight Load-carrying Equipment, and a whole hand receipt list of other items that fit into their issued duffle bag and ruck sack.
“This is a lot of gear that our civilian employees receive,” said Command Sgt. Major Harry Collins, FEST-M command sergeant major. “It’s important for them to have all of this equipment because of their unique positions as emergency-essential civilians. They are going to encounter the same situations I, as a military member, will be in when we get deployed, so it makes sense for all of us to be outfitted with the same gear.”
Each new unit employee agrees to be ready and able to deploy as required in support of varied contingencies. These range from humanitarian relief, military operations, peace support operations, and conflicts of war.
“Depending on the nature of the mission, the civilians may be in remote and dangerous locations and living conditions that may be extremely austere,” Collins said. “The issued gear was designed specifically for these situations. civilian or soldier, everyone in the FEST-M will be issued the same items.”
For some, such as Rodney Stephen, resource manager for the team, having TA-50 is a welcome surprise.
“I thought my CIF days were over,” retired Army non-commissioned officer Stephen believed. “But I knew coming on board to the FEST-M I’d be making another trip here [CIF]. It feels good throwing the gear back on and knowing you are going to make a difference somewhere.”
In addition to TA-50, each new unit member receives a supply box full of needed technological tools to help them accomplish their mission as explained by the logistics management supervisor, Billy Stewart.
“Our team should feel confident that they have all the items it needs to get the job done,” Stewart said. “From a heavy-duty laptop to a high-speed camera to a reliable GPS [global positioning system], we’re equipped for absolute success. We do our best to give ourselves the advantage on every front.”
As new members come onboard, the FEST-M will be making another trip to the Fort Polk CIF before it deploys.
“Our team will have what they need,” Stewart said. “If they don’t have it, and they need it, we’ll do our best to get it.”
With gear in tow, FEST-M members are in the process of completing training to prepare for upcoming missions.
| Date Taken: | 11.23.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.12.2010 09:19 |
| Story ID: | 59999 |
| Location: | FORT POLK, LOUISIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 46 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Civilians all geared up and ready to go, by Mark Abueg, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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