Joint Civilian Orientation Conference

Photo By Spc. Deborah Ledesma | SOUTHWEST ASIA (October 27, 2006) --- Chairman and CEO of Direct Insite, James A. Cannavino, takes a ride with the U.S. Army during the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference held in Kuwait. Forty-five civilian leaders, including Cannavino, from across the U.S. spent two days with servicemembers learning about their jobs and gaining appreciation for what it takes to be deployed. Cannavino hails from Bohemia, N.Y.  

(UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)

10.26.2006

Story by Sgt. Christopher Jones 

40th Public Affairs Detachment

by Sgt. Chris Jones
Desert Voice Staff Writer
40th Public Affairs Detachment

SOUTHWEST ASIA (October 25, 2006) --- Forty-five civilian leaders from across the United States spent two days with servicemembers in Kuwait, learning about their jobs and gaining appreciation for what it takes to be deployed.

Geoffrey Stack, managing director of the California-based Sares-Regis Group, said the trip was rewarding because, "I got to find out about what's going on over here, and show my support in doing so."

After a briefing at Camp Arifjan Oct. 18, Joint Civilian Orientation Conference attendees were set for two busy days of simulated rollovers, weapons firing, improvised explosive device training and a hearty military lunch – a meal ready to eat.

After the briefing Oct. 18, JCOC attendees paid a visit to Forward Repair Activities. At the FRA, attendees got a chance to see the men and women who work to up-armor Soldiers' vehicles. Many also geared up in helmets and body armor to take part in the Humvee Egress Assistance Trainer, commonly known as HEAT.

Attendees spent the following day at Udairi Range, participating in many of the military's pre-deployment training, including an improvised explosive device training range. On the IED range, participants went along with Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Division, looking out for IEDs as well as potential enemy ambushes.

Each vehicle on the IED lane included two Soldiers and two JCOC participants. The JCOC attendees manned both the truck commander position and the machine gun, allowed to fire blank rounds at enemy threats.

Many of the JCOC participants said they were amazed at the heat, particularly with the heavy gear they wore.

Krestine Corbin, president and CEO of the Nevada-based Sierra Machinery, Inc., said, "It was a new experience. It really makes you appreciate what Soldiers do out here, with the heavy equipment and the hot weather."

The final event of Oct. 19 was the weapons training, where attendees trained on the M-4 rifle and several heavy weapons, including the M-249 squad automatic weapon. Both Marines and Soldiers contributed to training the JCOC attendees, then provided safety tips as the attendees fired the weapons at the ranges.

"I've been incredibly impressed by everyone from every service. Just high quality troops, very impressive," said Stack, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran.

Stack found out about JCOC through a friend he knew while in the Marine Corps, who is now the supreme allied commander of Europe – Gen. James Jones.

"We are friends, and he asked me if I'd like to check out what our troops are doing, and I said, 'yes,'" said Stack.

The weapons firing concluded an experience unlike what some participants may ever see again – a chance to spend time with deployed servicemembers and bring those experiences back to the U.S.

"I'm very much behind our armed forces," said Corbin, "and I very much believe that if we want to remain free, we have got to earn it. I get agitated by people saying we've got to cut and run, because I know if we leave, the mission will fail."

Corbin said she learned a lot about the character of U.S. servicemembers, and is looking forward to "bragging" about the military to friends back home.

"Talking to troops, seeing how diverse and interesting they are, it just makes you proud," she said.

"They're a real tribute to our country."

• Date Taken: 10.26.2006
• Date Posted: 10.26.2006 11:30
• Story ID: 8155
• Location: (UNDISCLOSED LOCATION)