GRAYLING, Mich. — What do a signal support systems specialist, human resources specialist and motor transport operator have in common? Aside from the fact they’re in the Michigan Army National Guard, these three soldiers and eight others were selected to set up communication systems in military vehicles at the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site at Camp Grayling, Mich., July 16, 2012.
The 11 soldiers are with the 182nd Field Support Company in Detroit and work jointly with civilian contractors for 56 days.
Staff Sgt. Charles Wagner Jr., who specializes in signal support systems and is the non-commissioned officer in charge, receives direction from the contractors and ensures soldiers complete the tasks.
Wagner, who has been in the military for 9 1/2 years, said he and another soldier were the only two individuals with signal training.
Yet, each soldier has been installing communications systems in the Humvees and High Mobility Artillery Rocket System vehicles because other Michigan Army National Guard units will operate these vehicles during their annual training on Camp Grayling’s airfield.
“It’s a learning experience,” said Spc. William McLin III, a human resource specialist, who has been in the Army National Guard for three years.
McLin included that his tasks were setting up communications, inventory and installation. He also said he has learned valuable information and enjoyed this experience since being tasked with the mission.
Even though, these soldiers have diverse job specialties, this mission has allowed each of them to become familiar with signal systems.
Pfc. Charles Kennedy, a motor transport operator, has been in the military for a year, said he takes direction from Wagner because he is learning this new domain. Kennedy has been installing radios in the trucks and testing them to ensure good communication.
Although many of the selected soldiers were not familiar with signal systems, each of them has worked together to prepare other National Guard units with vehicles that have communications capabilities.
Date Taken: | 07.16.2012 |
Date Posted: | 07.20.2012 15:27 |
Story ID: | 91908 |
Location: | GRAYLING, MICHIGAN, US |
Web Views: | 201 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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