Photo By Staff Sgt. Katherine Anderson | Soldiers push concrete down the chute of a mobile mixer while others move concrete...... read more read more
FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. - At first glance, installing sidewalks for some of the newly constructed buildings at Fort Hunter Liggett, Calif., appears relatively uncomplicated.
A deeper look provides a whole new twist on a seemingly simple task.
There are four units working on this project, the 312th Engineer Detachment from San Antonio, 1st Platoon, 486th Eng. Company, located in Southfield, Mich., the 448th Eng. Det. from Fort Benning, Ga., and the 943rd Eng. Det. out of Kings Mills, Ohio, all under the direction of the 983rd Engineer Battalion, headquartered in Monclova, Ohio.
Each detachment has a few trained soldiers here for annual training, explained Staff Sgt. Mickey Odegaard, detachment commander, 312th Eng. Det. Based on the types of military occupational specialties the units brought with them, each group has a specific piece of the project allowing their soldiers to practice and improve their skills.
“The best thing about this exercise is giving the Soldiers stick time,” said Odegaard. “We let them work until they start getting frustrated and then stop them, give them a few suggestions and then let them go at it again.”
The soldiers agree that the exercise is giving them an opportunity for stick time. Spc. Jeffery Grizzard, a heavy equipment operator from the 448th Eng. Det. located at Fort Benning, Ga., was excited about operating the equipment. While he found the skid steer, a piece of construction equipment that can use various attachments, easier to operate, he liked the backhoe better.
“It is more versatile. I can do more things with it [on this project],” said Grizzard.
Gizzard especially liked learning some of the other facets of the project.
“I got to learn how to read the grade stakes. They really didn’t show us how to do that in school. It has been one long learning experience from top to bottom,” he said.
Grade stakes are used to tell the equipment operator what elevation the dirt needs to be before continuing construction. Soldiers from these units are working together to prepare the site, set the forms and then pour and finish the sidewalk before leaving the exercise. While it is taking longer than originally anticipated, it has allowed most of them to see the entire process from start to finish.
The units poured a test batch of concrete using a mobile mixer, to make sure the concrete was combined in the correct proportions. It also allowed some of the newer soldiers an opportunity to use the tools on a sample area before pouring the final product.
Cpl. Christopher Lilienthal, a heavy equipment operator and plumber, 1st Plt., 486th Eng. Company, is enjoying the leadership opportunity.
“It is different from when I was deployed,” explained Lilienthal. “Then I was the one doing the projects, now I am taking my experience and sharing it with the new guys out of basic and [Advanced Individual Training]. This is a chance to do more troop leading.”
Pfc. Douglas Cottongim, a plumber in the 486th, has been helping by transporting troops, and hauling equipment and materials in a five-ton truck to units working at the different job sites while the sidewalk location is being prepared. There is no specific training for plumbers during this exercise so he is cross-training as a carpentry and masonry specialist, learning how to set concrete forms and finish concrete.
“I really like this [cross-training]. I know a little about it from growing up. The hardest part is keeping it all level,” said Cottongim after taking an opportunity to use the finishing trowel on the test section.
Odegaard looks at this exercise as a unique training opportunity. Due to the high cost of the materials involved, there are few opportunities to practice their MOS skills at home station.
”Experience is the only way to get better. We are really taking advantage of this [exercise] and are looking forward to doing more next year.”
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2011 13:05 |
| Story ID: | 75181 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 293 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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