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The 21st Theater Sustainment Command began another round of upgrades at its Deployment Processing Center on Rhine Ordnance Barracks. The DPC, which is run by the 21st TSC’s 39th Transportation Battalion, is the last stop for Soldiers before they head to Ramstein before deploying in support of operations Iraqi and Enduring Freedom.
During the first phase of the current improvements, permanent walls are being installed to separate the sleeping bays in one of the personnel
holding areas.
In lieu of going the traditional route and contracting the work out, the 39th Trans. Bn. contacted the 15th Engineer Battalion’s 902nd Engineer Company, which sent
36 construction engineer Soldiers to complete the work.
Having Soldiers complete the project for Soldiers resulted in an estimated $350,000 in cost savings, said Staff Sgt. Keith McCullough, noncommissioned officer in charge of training at the 39th Trans. Bn., who coordinated the project.
In addition to the financial savings involved, Soldiers using the facilities at the DPC will benefit from the improvements made by the construction engineers from the 902nd Eng. Co.
“Replacing the room dividers with permanent walls makes this a much nicer and friendlier environment for the Soldiers. Plus, the walls are safer, more fire resistant and work better,” said Spc. Michael Rastetter, a carpentry and masonry specialist with the 902nd Eng. Co.
“During the Year of the NCO it is even more important to take care of our Soldiers. We want to give back to the Soldiers; we want to show that we care. Improving the DPC is one way we can do that,” Sergeant McCullough said.
The 36 Soldiers, who travelled from Schweinfurt and stayed at the DPC for the duration of the first phase, benefitted as well.
“This is an excellent project for us. We are glad to have this opportunity to help out and be involved in a project that serves so many Soldiers, and it gives us the chance to train and to cross-train,” Specialist Rastetter said.
“This is the first time we have completed an entire construction project as a company. In addition to the training, it has also given us a chance to bond,” said 2nd Lt. Mark Henson, the officer in charge of the project.
The 902nd Eng. Co. will have the opportunity to extend the training and deepen the bond. While the Soldiers will go back to Schweinfurt once the initial phase is completed, they will return for the second phase, which involves installing permanent walls in a different personnel holding area. Phase two of the construction project is set to begin March 30.
“We will be back and probably bring 45 personnel. This is a good job to be on,” Lieutenant Henson said.
