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GRAFENWOHR, Germany — Army Reserve Soldiers with the 406th Human Resources Company, 7th Civil Support Command, based out of Kaiserslautern, along with members of the 1172nd Movement Control Team, participate in Unified Endeavour March 16 here.
Unified Endeavour is a joint exercise involving more than 2,000 personnel from the Army, Air Force, and military personnel from Germany, Belgium, Canada, Spain, England and current ISAF Soldiers who were flown in from Afghanistan to participate in the event.
The 406th HRC conducts real-world support for all UE participants to include registration of incoming personnel, administrative duties as well as providing supplies and sleeping quarters.
“This is great training for all members of our unit,” said Sgt. 1st Class Mathew Smith, the non-commissioned officer in charge of operations for the 406th HRC. “It really doesn’t get more real than it does here especially with all the different countries participating in this event.”
“In the military we train and train and then train some more, so this event will put all our training to the test and I can see where our strengths lie and where we might need to make improvements,” said Smith.
As the main event of admitting participants kicked off on March 16, the building that the 406th occupied filled to capacity in a matter of minutes. “I am extremely happy that the entire unit gets to come together as a human resources company,” said Staff Sgt. Michelle Smith, the supply and logistics NCOIC for the 406th HRC. We get to finally work as a tight knit family unit.” Although there was only a limited amount of time to process incoming personnel, Soldiers of the 406th HRC remained in high spirits.
“We have some very motivated and hard working Soldiers here,” said 1st Sgt. Yolanda Meekie, the first sergeant of the 406th HRC. “This is the first unit mission that all of us have been on ground at one time functioning as a team or unit, and the Soldiers are doing an amazing job.”
As a bus pulled up to the staging area with more than 80 military members from different countries, the 406th HRC was ready and prepared to handle the large influx of personnel.
“It’s challenging and actually something I have never done before, but I think that it is going very smoothly,” said Spc. Douglas K. Piper, a human resources specialist in charge of billeting with the 406th HRC. “We receive forecasts of what to expect, but those forecasts aren’t always correct so we always have to remain vigilant and on our toes.”
“I love what I am doing here and have the opportunity to help others prepare for their mission. It gives me a real sense of camaraderie working with my peers,” said Piper. “I love the support that I receive from this unit. They have been really awesome, and the leadership is second to none.”
As personnel arrived and departed the area of operation, the 406th HRC remained in good spirits and could be heard laughing and talking amongst themselves during an occasional small break between incoming units.
