Photo By Sgt. Aaron Ricca | Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III talks with Sgt. Hector Alvarado of the...... read more read more
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CAMP ROBERTS, Calif.—“The capability to train soldiers for the fight is still here. The assistant secretary of the Army for installations, energy and environment is very concerned about this. The unique capability this place displays is not available everywhere. A place like this, which maybe under the radar so to speak, compared to Fort Hood or Fort Irwin, may start to rise to the top as a place that we really need to hold on to,” said the Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA).
He was speaking about Camp Roberts and would pass his observation to Congressman Sam Farr during a Feb. 17, 2012 meeting on Capitol Hill that centered on the quality of life for military personnel. Farr is the U.S. Representative for California’s 17th congressional district that encompasses the California National Guard’s major training area. He has visited the camp a few times, knew of infrastructure issues and of negative reports in the local news.
He invited the 14th SMA, Raymond F. Chandler III to take a look.
“I believe it is important for leaders to see the situation for themselves before making an assessment,” Farr remarked. Farr has shown he is passionate about Camp Roberts as a state and national resource within his backyard. But he’s mindful that the true critics of the work being done are the troops and no one is more the champion for their cause than the SMA. His duty description is to serve as the Army Chief of Staff’s personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life.
The camp has been around for 70 years so it would require more than just a look.
Camp Roberts’ first years, from 1941 to 1946 are historic. Its intermittent shutdown and dusting off to support the war in Korea was out of necessity but never intended. The camp’s initial lifespan was only supposed to be five years. In 1972 the California National Guard signed for the keys and the decades that followed bore no major military conflicts until the Gulf War in 1990. Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen from the Golden State had little involvement in that 100-hour assault that liberated Kuwait.
The 9/11 attacks woke up the world and shook Camp Roberts from its slumber. As troops prepared to meet this new threat the camp wasn’t completely ready to greet them. During the scramble by the leadership to retrofit the facilities to match the surge, Roberts gained a notorious reputation of being inadequate that has thrived during the wars against terrorism in Iraq and Afghanistan.
A scarring report in the news as recently as March 2011 made accusations of mismanagement of funds toward the betterment of Camp Roberts. Soldiers, both current and former members of the California National Guard weighed in with their own first-hand observations during time spent at the central coast installation. One troop made a video in 2008 and titled the training footage at Roberts, “the camp that time forgot” but then crossed out “time” and replaced it with “the Army”.
Probably the most glaringly obvious telltale sign that something is deficient on the camp are the hundreds of dilapidated barracks and dozens of neglected warehouses that casual observers can see while driving by on Highway 101. Concerned citizens have to wonder are they being used and what does the rest of the camp look like?
What many taxpayers, and some soldiers, can’t see is a rebirth, a movement to take the camp back to its glory years. Absorbing the negative commentary as fuel for their designs, the camps future is promising in the minds of the current visionaries leading the California National Guard. The ambition to develop the 70-year old military training camp as an “Army Standard installation with state of the art facilities, ranges and training areas” isn’t happening overnight and not without its share of skeptics. But something is happening and for the better.
The prompting to take action came in early March 2011 when leadership from the National Guard Bureau (NGB) in D.C. sent an inspection team to Roberts, which reported back unfavorable findings. The resulting fallout from this account showed up as a red blip on the radar of Congressman Farr. He visited in June of 2010 and again in February 2011. After he read the report and the article that followed he returned in September to have another look.
“I've been keenly aware of the infrastructure issues at Camp Roberts, as well as the efforts the post has made to provide deploying soldiers with world-class training,” said Farr. Born near his district, he assumed his current position in 1993 when Leon Panetta, now Secretary of Defense, moved on. Farr worked on Base Realignment and Closure initiatives and had an integral hand on the reuse of the former Fort Ord. For his actions after the Monterey base locked its gates in 1994 he received the Senator David Pryor Special Achievement Award for his ongoing advocacy for communities with active or closed military bases presented by the Association of Defense Communities.
"Communities with active or closed military bases face many special concerns, from land use to economic development to ordinance disposal," said Farr. "I have been lucky enough to assist in the transition efforts at Fort Ord, and that experience has helped me push those issues locally and nationwide." As vice-chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction, Farr successfully increased clean-up funds from $221 million to $271 million for military bases closed prior to 2005.
The congressman, raised in Carmel, now had a new focus.
“One of my responsibilities is to testify before Congress when asked,” said Chandler. “Each year the House and Senate ask the senior enlisted advisers from each of the services to speak on the quality of life of our military personnel. Congressman Farr sits on one of the subcommittees and when we testified he asked me about an article written about some of the challenges here. I was unaware of this [article] so he asked me to come take a look and I said I would.”
The SMA planted his feet firmly on Camp Roberts ground just after midnight Jan. 25, 2012 after receiving a one-hour head set brief by Command Sgts. Maj. Harold London and Thomas Holley in a Black Hawk. London, as the senior non-commissioned officer (NCO) of the California Army National Guard, was the overall host for the visit. Holley, now the NCO in charge of the Recruiting and Retention Battalion, was the facilitator of the tour and had recently been assigned to the Pentagon as a Legislative Liaison for the National Guard. He had an established working relationship with the SMAs office and had escorted Farr on a previous tour of the camp.
Chandler, who has never been to Roberts, stayed in the camp’s general officer housing, which spoke volumes and set the tone for the purpose of his visit.
He emerged from the commander’s quarters, built in 1941, in the twilight hours of the morning and walked down to the dining facility. Welcoming him was Brig. Gen. Keith Jones, the post commander and his top NCO, Command Sgt. Maj. James Norris. Troops from the 140th Aviation Battalion were lined up outside for their morning chow. During breakfast, while eating off plastic plates and utensils, Jones briefed the SMA on all things happening on his camp.
“Our intent was two-fold. We did not want to dwell on the negative but show the progress and direction we are taking to improve our facilities, to demonstrate the momentum our people are providing in making the effort because they are the ones, notwithstanding the shortfalls in infrastructure, that are doing right by soldier business,” said Jones.
Norris made it clear certain things needed addressing.
“We felt part of the reason for his visit was [Farr] wanted to dispel the myths created in the news. We had an idea what the SMA would be looking for and wanted to make sure he got the straight story,” said Norris.
A little before 8 a.m. the tour kicked off and the SMA was immediately shown the camps ugly side. He was slowly driven past the eyesore of 658 timeworn barracks along the highway. Jones and Norris said the condemned, quarantined wooden structures are finally set for demolition this summer. The $20 million plan is to bulldoze the lead and asbestos tainted timber over a three-year process and dispose of it in a hazardous waste landfill specially built at a remote location on Camp Roberts. According to the California National Guard’s Facilities and Engineering office the project will save money in material transport and be within environmental guidelines. Once cleared most of the area will be left to mother-nature.
After passing the ghost town they swung around the 1400-yard long parade field and stopped at a tract of “active” barracks. The SMA was shown one of three re-purposed mess halls converted into a Laundromat containing 20, no-cost washers and dryers. Knowing troops would spend a lot of time here Chandler asked about wireless Internet both throughout the living quarters and the Post Exchange store. Another aspect of his job is he sits on the Army and Air Force Exchange Service board. Knowing this key gesture would bolster morale for the troops the SMA recorded it in his notes.
Next Chandler was led into an older non-refurbished stock barrack to display the before picture. There are still approximately 73 of these buildings being issued to units during their temporary stay while conducting two-week annual training or longer if preparing for an upcoming deployment. The SMA was shown why the World War II lodging has lasted so long: the high quality timber used to construct the framing. But the lack of amenities inside gave it the look of a rundown hospital ward, complete with broken tiles, aged mattresses, rust stained faucets and showers, and plastic curtains hung from metal tubing wrapped around each bunk as a privacy blind. Jones went down the list of jury-rigged items installed after the 9/11 attacks just to handle the influx of bodies.
Nothing was held back from the SMA who nodded at each detail with a calculated, stoic expression.
A few blocks down Chandler was introduced to Col. Walter Goodwater and Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph Menard, employees of the office of Facilities and Engineering, whose barrack make-over projects are aimed at the heart of the soldiers' grievances. The construction is being handled by military and state certified small business contractors and for the most part the outsides look the same with their yellow-tan aluminum siding but that is where the similarities end.
Guided by Menard, the SMA climbed the new concrete entrance platform, a wider footprint with handrails, and stepped into a vision of what is to come. From the dropped ceiling with fluorescent lighting to the seamless tiled flooring, nothing seemed untouched with improvements. Chandler stood in the brightly lit room painted in a two-tone cream and tan and listened as Menard beamed about the work being done and challenges facing an engineer when dealing with 70-year old buildings.
About 20 billets, closest to the Post Exchange, are under the hammer and nail for remodeling. Sixteen should be ready for guests by the end of 2012. That is around 768 troops who will enjoy the new hospitalities.
Troops will be vividly aware of the massive amount of work taken to impress them. The tile doesn’t snap, crack, and pop as you walk on it. The rafters and beams are covered. Drafts were eliminated with wallboard and insulation. Multiple power outlets line the wall every few feet. Natural light pours through double-pane windows that actually operate like windows in your home. The bottom portion of the window is even frosted. In the stifling heat of summer troops will have air conditioning. In the chilliest winter they will have heat.
As for the warning about drinking the water, this is another myth. Tanks have being replaced, cleaned and new ones drilled. New lines pump H2O into all the barracks and are tested by the health department on a routine basis. Menard says it is safe to go ahead and fill up your water bladders. “If you are from Mount Shasta and use to drinking mountain spring water or only drink bottled water it might taste a little funny,” said Menard. “That is because it is slightly chlorinated. It is potable, public drinking water.”
Menard spoke with passion as these endeavors are clearly near and dear to his heart.
“I have stayed in these. I’ve listened to what the Soldiers have said and I’ve tested my own concepts and that is how we know what to work on,” said Menard, who is also the senior NCO for the 49th Military Police Brigade. “I love what I do and I love building things that benefit the troops.”
One room, however, hadn’t been touched and it is the one that causes soldiers to shake their heads and cringe.
“The latrines are contracted separately from the troop barracks because of the scope of the work needed,” remarked Menard. “But we have a design plan already approved. We will have improved water quality coming out of new showers, compete with caddies, toilets with full stalls, tons of hooks to support gear, and molded counter top and sink bowls. The faucets will be like at home. Above we are putting a shelf that can hold a toiletry bag and plenty of mirrors. The entire room will have cleanable surfaces.”
The SMA took one final look at the stark contrast between the living quarters and the bathroom and nodded at the plan. It was explained that the vision is only limited to their resources. Each revamp costs approximately $430 thousand and takes around 180 days to knock out.
The convoy moved on and passed the skeletal shape of a much anticipated new dining facility that will better serve the troops due to its proximity to the billeting area instead of at the top of the hill where you now have to either walk up a long road or get transported to eat your meals.
Task Force Warrior (TFW), the California National Guard’s Pre-mobilization Training Assistance Element, was next on the agenda. Capt. Mikael Magnuson, executive officer for TFW, introduced the SMA to his leadership and walked him through ongoing classes attended by troops from the 132nd Multi-Role Bridge Company, an engineer unit from Redding, who are preparing for their deployment to Afghanistan.
Chandler was in his element again, greeting each Soldier and asking a little about their background.
He spent just a few minutes passing through before Sgt. 1st Class Ralph Blatz, an instructor for TFW, escorted Chandler over to Soldiers Field, a mixed bag of training lanes built to prepare troops for a multitude of situations they could face while in harm’s way.
“Most of what you see here sergeant major was done self-help style by my team,” said Blatz, who has been a TFW teacher for three years. “We begged and borrowed, grabbed heavy equipment, and constructed a lot of these berms, walls and structures. And we did it between training or during our time off.”
Blatz said they would constantly search for ways to add to each lane. Scrounging up metal scraps, timber, grabbing unused barricades, fencing, and even cars ready for the junk pile to add to their illusion of a possible world the Soldier might face during their deployment.
“The training packages we offer and some of the lanes are actually better than what I’ve seen at other major installations and done with minimal funds. But we could always use more money,” said Blatz.
The SMA specifically asked to see the Glass House, a “building” that is constructed only with waist high metal stakes in the ground with nylon straps tied and connected to each other. The appearance creates the illusion of entering a building with invisible rooms and hallways. Instructors can then supervise a squad’s ability to enter a building and sweep through the area clearing each room from enemy threats. The field training lanes don’t use elaborate, high-tech props to create realism.
The impact of their training grounds, however, is far reaching. It was explained to the SMA that TFW is used by 20 other states. The California National Guard wants this site to become a Western Region Center of Excellence. Right now troops head to places like Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Fort Bliss, Tx., but with this title, states west of the Mississippi would have another option, maybe closer to home, before jetting off to their overseas duty station.
Norris said they would like to move Soldiers Field to a better training location on the camps 42,000 acres or build an entirely new beefed up version while using what they have.
As the tour crossed the path of a vehicle maintenance shop the SMA didn’t miss a beat, asking if the camp had mine-resistant, ambush-protected vehicles, or MRAPs, to train on. Jones smiled and said the Navy had loaned them a few.
The SMA wheeled over to the Regional Training Site – Maintenance, a National Guard Bureau funded “Institute of Excellence”, accredited by the Combined Arms Support Command. As if to punctuate that accolade the grounds surrounding the complex were immaculate. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mark Walton and Master Sgt. Cari Beetham stood at the entrance and with pride showed the SMA around.
While Beetham explained their course curricula, Chandler entered the maintenance bay. A 91B, Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic qualification class and an Advanced Leader Course were in full swing. The SMA picked out Sgt. Laura Alvarado from the 340th Brigade Support Battalion to explain what they are being taught in class. The topic: replacing the engine on a Humvee.
Chandler gathered the students, who were from Active, Guard and Reserve units in Arizona, Colorado, Alaska and Nevada. He spoke about his concerns for the state of the Army.
“It doesn’t matter what component you're in. We, as an Army, don't want to go back to the way we were before 9/11. We want to do is maintain the edge that we have right now. If you wear the uniform you are an American Soldier, a key asset in defending our American Constitution, our citizens and fighting our enemies when we are at war,” Chandler said as he looked into the eyes of the troops.
“We can't do that unless we are all connected at the hip. Understand that from an Army level we want to do that and only if all, especially at the tactical level, are committed at maintaining what we have done. We have lost too many of our brothers and sisters over the past 10 years to let their legacy go by,” Chandler said.
As the SMA travels the world meeting troops he underscores his leadership philosophy.
“For our Army, over the last 10 years, I think we have taken our eye off the ball for many different reasons. Things like core competency for non-commissioned officers and it is really about standards and discipline, and systems frankly. So if there are standards that some people might have lost sight of like physical fitness, military bearing, weight control, basic uniform and personal appearance, and standards of conduct, we need systems in place to maintain the standard. How do you actually ensure your soldiers are getting counseled? Do you have a process in place to make sure that gets done? Are you maintaining these key areas and if you're not what exactly are you doing about it? That is a big part of what I'm pushing this year. That's why I’m using the term, “Getting Back to Basics”. Do your job and as an NCO take charge. If you take charge I got your back as the Sergeant Major of the Army. Be that person that's accomplishing the mission and taking care of soldiers. Sometimes that means telling them they're not doing the right thing, which in turn accomplishes the mission.”
“Thanks for all that you do. I am an Armor guy so I will see you on the high ground,” Chandler concluded.
The SMA then took a trip into the camps backcountry. He was shown an industrious rock crushing site, a large sandbox engineers can push dirt around in to perfect their skill and two key bridges. The expanses were of key concern because of their connection to the ranges and the importance of having a quick exit in case of a medical emergency. The low-water bridge already got a cost-effective suspension-panel make-over and the high-water version will follow.
Chandler received a quick but comprehensive brief on the host of range and training area opportunities by Master Sgt. William Black at the range control building. The list read like a highlight reel of high-tech gadgetry and current Army standard proving grounds.
“We have courses for infantry squad and platoon battle, urban assault, forward operating base training, simulators for calling in field artillery, laser engagement, virtual battlefields and convoys operations, barrel-rolling egress trainers for the Humvee and MRAP, and pretty much every weapons range needed except for gunnery for tanks and Bradleys,” said Black. “We are also the only dud producing impact area on the West Coast, meaning if you need to shoot off high-explosive, big rounds that might become unexploded ordnance, we are the place to do it.”
When those rounds fail to go off, Explosive Ordnance Disposal units move in to perfect their trade.
Jones discussed the growing importance of the camps restricted air space, which in turn supports the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle program. A feature the visiting British UAV teams enjoy. The Naval Postgraduate School in Monterey sends their students here. Navy Seabee’s, Marines, Special Forces, have all had their boots on Camp Roberts’ soil. And the relationship with the camps closest military neighbor, Fort Hunter-Liggett, was a primary topic in regards to co-utilization.
“As we move forward we have to look at how to maximize and be as efficient as possible with the resources we have. If you have a facility that has a capability, where does that capability fit into everything that you're trying to do as an Army? Not just Active Component, Guard or Reserve but as an Army and then you have to make decisions on where best to use those resources. You have to have trust that you're making the right decisions. This place obviously has some very unique skill sets and capabilities, especially with the restricted airspace, which is so limited in the United States. It is just one of those things that you need to hold onto,” said Chandler.
One of the more actively used capabilities of the installation in the past 10 years is the Soldier Readiness Processing (SRP) site. Thousands have stepped through its doors to receive the green light for being medically deployable. The SRP site at Camp Roberts earns the distinction for being the only mobilization station and combat readiness center between Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., and Fort Bliss, Texas.
Jones, Norris and London poured out as much information as they could during the four-hour whirlwind tour and the SMA absorbed it, taking notes physically and mentally as he heard or saw it.
The last stop was the morale, welfare and recreation café, Club Phoenix, where Chandler met Soldiers from the only active Army unit stationed on Camp Roberts. Maj. Kevin Garfield and First Sgt. John Carlson, commander and first sergeant of the 514th Signal Co., spoke to the SMA on the unique challenge of being an active proponent on a National Guard base and how it affects their younger troops. Congressman Farr had also toured their operation numerous times to include a ground-breaking ceremony. Garfield praised his involvement and Jones’ as the two forces shared support duties for the junior rank and file. The men and women in uniform at the Satellite Communications facility deal with defending global network security at the highest levels of command.
As the SMA prepared to leave the solid ground for a Black Hawk ride to the airport Jones threw in an extra concern about providing a better arrangement for food court service to his full-time population of approximately 600 troops and the thousands of visitors who will enter his front gate.
Chandler returned the favor for the hospitality and asked what else he could do beyond what he was briefed on.
“Preserve our military construction pipeline. Support our Adjutant General’s priority of building an Operational Readiness Training Center and any additional Sustainment, Restoration and Modernization budget to accelerate our barracks refurbishment program would be greatly appreciated,” said Jones.
The 14th Sergeant Major of the Army had just visited his first National Guard training camp since he was appointed March 1, 2011.
“My first impression was not all that bad. The buildings that are no longer going to be used are falling down and as a casual observer you have to ask yourself, what is going on? Old buildings, collapsing in on each other, busted windows and you have to ask questions, it’s legitimate, like why is it like that?” questioned Chandler.
“There are a lot of reasons. But there is a plan, there is money available and there is a process to get it to the point when you can begin tearing things down to make it look more presentable. I think we are on the right path to get there and that is what I’ll be reporting back to Congress,” Chandler said.
Chandler, who is from Whittier, Calif., saw what Camp Roberts could bring to the fight.
“I will do a trip report that goes to [key people at the Pentagon] and let them know what I saw, give them my insights and come the next Quality of Life briefing I'm going back to Congress to tell Congressman Farr I did what I said I was going to do and this is what I saw and we would appreciate his continued support in keeping Camp Roberts moving forward,” said Chandler.
Squeezing in every possible second to hit each square foot of land, London and Norris accompanied Chandler on an aerial tour of Camp Roberts, the only training facility in the nation named after an enlisted Soldier.
Jones waved them off and then reflected on the visit.
“He got the infrastructure piece. He saw the human effort behind the cause. With that I’d hope that when the time comes for consideration, pending flexibility and resources, direction would be given to accelerate our progress and then people would see the value of what we have communicated to the leadership. I don’t think we are too far off the mark,” Jones said hopefully. “The goodness that we deliver to the Soldiers doesn’t necessarily come from physical planning. It comes from the Soldiers who provide the training and validation. Buildings don’t train, people do. Buildings don’t save lives in combat. The skills of the people who train them do. We have to understand that putting in infrastructure isn’t going to solve all our challenges.”
Norris, who has served for 34 years, seems to be enjoying his final duty station and can’t wait to see what tomorrow will bring.
“We had nothing to hide and told it like it is,” said Norris. “I am very excited to be coming to Camp Roberts as the Post CSM at this point in time. There’s an energy on post right now that is spreading like wildfire. People are seeing projects coming to fruition and that gives them hope that more will follow. We want to make sure everyone knows all the training opportunities which are available and make plans to use as many as possible during their training days at Camp Roberts.”
Jones headed to his office to write his own trip report and commented on his vision for Roberts during his tenure and beyond.
“We want to strive to the Army standard. If that means our [training lanes] need to look a certain way we will strive to do that. It may be a challenge and it might take some time but we will set our sights and we will move in that direction. It won’t happen overnight because of unfunded requirements but we are measurably increasing the quality of the life for our Soldiers,” said Jones.
“Part of my vision is soldiers want to come here. Leaders want to train here. Organizations want to send their teams here because they see the value. I sensed the SMA left feeling that further investment in this camp would be reinforcing success, not the failure alluded to in earlier press coverage. I think Congressman Farr did us a great favor by vectoring the SMA to us today,” said Jones.
There are good things happening at Camp Roberts, a rebirth perhaps that directly benefits soldiers training and their quality of life. Maybe you won’t miss it if you blink or even see it first-hand depending on which direction you look but somewhere on the vast acreage of land improvements are being made. But as someone pointed out, progress only moves at the pace of money.
| Date Taken: | 01.25.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 03.01.2012 18:15 |
| Story ID: | 84589 |
| Location: | CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 1,752 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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