Twitter
Facebook
MIESAU, Germany — A three week cooperative training partnership held at the Miesau Ammunition Depot here has recently wrapped up for the Soldiers from the 23rd Ordnance Company, 18th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 16th Sustainment Brigade.
Ammunition stock control and accounting specialists and ammunition specialists have been working hand-in-hand with theater logistics support civilians at the Ammunition Center Europe to cross train on their jobs and to aid the ammunition depot in catching up on its mission.
The ammo dogs, as they are affectionately called, received real-world training and experience to help make them technically capable of performing their jobs in a field environment and ready to provide support as part of a sustainment brigade or theater sustainment command operation. During their training, they worked 442 man hours and provided cost savings to the Army by preparing pallets for environmental compliance, labeling and inventorying.
“This was a great learning experience for my Soldiers to take what they learned in advanced individual training on handling ammunition and to add to it. They incorporated their training by working alongside the German ammunition handling civilians,” said 2nd Lt. David Ennis, a native of Fayetteville, N.C., and an ordnance officer from the 23rd Ord. Co. “This training mission combined the Soldier and civilian aspect, where both sides worked with and learned from each other.”
Fresh out of initial entry training, most of the Soldiers have not been afforded the opportunity to work in their respective jobs.
“It’s great that we can get out and finally learn more, along with the civilian counterparts, and do the job pertaining to (our military occupational specialties),” said Pfc. Jonathan Pettner, a native of Freedom, Penn., and an ammunition specialist from the 23rd Ord. Co.
Not only do the ammunition and stock control specialists get to do exciting work, but the Soldiers get their hands dirty as well.
“We finally get to see what other Soldiers do and get a better view of what is actually going on outside of the office,” said Pvt. Ryan Wood, a native of Grapton, W.Va., and an ammunition specialist from the 23rd Ord. Co.
Advancing their knowledge of their training and experience, the Soldiers worked hard building camaraderie and a team. All of this combines to help them gain the confidence needed to run an ammunition supply point of their own.
This cooperative partnership opportunity was the second of many the 23rd Ord. Co. first sergeant has planned, and they will continue to work more at Ammunition Center Europe.
“This opportunity affords Soldiers the training needed to keep and maintain skills they would not be able to get anywhere else,” said 1st Sgt. Danny Lindly, a native of Wynne, Ark. “Many of the Soldiers have been out of training for longer than six months, so they are excited to get out and do their job pertaining to their (military occupational specialties).”
