Photo By Maj. Tiffany Collins | Second Lt. Ryan Murphy, a platoon leader with Company A, 703rd Brigade Support...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – Fresh out of reset, Lt. Col. Nathan Swartz, commander of 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Mosier, leaned forward to educate and open the lines of communication between the brigade support battalion personnel and the rest of the Vanguard Brigade.
On the morning of Jan. 25, leaders at all levels, to include certain military occupational specialty personnel throughout the 4th IBCT, convened for the 703rd BSB’s Sustainment Terrain Walk.
Most soldiers familiarization with the BSB comes in the form of logistics. The event offered an opportunity for leaders to gain perspective and evidence of how crucial sustainment is to our hierarchy. Col. Kimo C. Gallahue, commander, 4th IBCT, compared the availability of logistical support to that of oxygen… “When available – it’s all good but it becomes a significant emotional event when it’s gone”.
Taking into full consideration our role in the Army Force Generation process and Full Spectrum Operations, the battalion consisting of approximately 900 personnel supports troop levels in excess of 3,900 soldiers.
Possessing over 50 specialty MOS’, the soldiers assigned obtain extreme skill sets beyond the capability of a battalion’s support platoon. The technical skills this team possesses render them adept at conducting stability operations for the Marne Division’s Light Infantry Fighters.
Organized into four separate entities, Support Operations or SPO is the pulse for sustainment, internal and external to the brigade. As part of the SPO, the Sustainment Automations Systems Management Office, is a last resort, providing soldiers with essential necessities in the unfortunate incident, all means are exhausted.
Supply and Distribution receive, store, and issue Supply Classes I, II, III, IV, V, and IX to the brigade, including such vital assets as ammunition, fuel and water. During the brigade’s last deployment to Iraq, soldiers assigned to this platoon, calculated over 150, 000 miles in support of the brigade and Operation New Dawn.
Sgt. 1st Class Jeffrey Puch, a platoon sergeant with Company A, 703rd BSB, said equipment maintenance and training of personnel is vital. Everything we provide to our customer, whether its fuel or water, lives depend on it.
Maintenance assets regenerate combat power, providing ground support equipment, communications and electronic equipment, service and recovery, and armament systems maintenance for all MTOE weapons. This capability enables the BSB to support Full Spectrum Operations for the brigade.
The medical company provides levels I and II medical care. This team of healthcare specialists, all certified as Emergency Medical Technicians, now an Army requirement make up the brigade’s field hospital.
They are staffed with a registered nurse and capable of providing dental care, physical therapy, and mental health assets. The facility also has the ability to treat, stabilize, and assess patients for up to 72 hours in a medical hold status, making a determination whether their condition requires medical evacuation to a level III facility.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Christopher Ortiz, a platoon leader assigned to Company A, 703rd BSB summed it up the best when he said, the greatest weapon; the U.S. soldier runs on water, everything else runs on fuel, we have to provide those vital fluids to make sure that the Army and the units we support can do their job.
| Date Taken: | 01.30.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 01.31.2012 17:05 |
| Story ID: | 83080 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 170 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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