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RSG:THE SOLDIERS' SUPPORT

By Pfc. Saul Rosa, 444MPAD; photo by Spc. Robert A. Posa, 444MPAD

As the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) prepared to deploy, the 42nd Regional Support Group (RSG) played a critical role in easing the transition from citizen to Soldier.

The 42nd RSG is made up of the 117th Civil Support Brigade (CSB), the 50th Personnel Service Battalion (PSB), and the 50th Finance Battalion (FB).

The 117th CSB, along with the 253rd Transportation Company and the 508th Military Police Company, maintained a shuttle bus, built and guarded the Ammo Holding Area, and completed various transportation-related missions.


A 50th Personnel Service Battalion Soldier helps a 50th IBCT Soldier clear his gun at the M4 range.


“Anything the Brigade asks for comes to our support office and we see if we have the available assets to move it or provide it; if we do, then we task out the 117th to move it,” said Maj. Dave Majury, 42nd RSG.

To underscore that statement, the 117th CSB moved more than 1.7 million rounds, 10,000 gallons of water, and 75,000 MREs during the first half of the pre-mobilization training.

The 50th FB began the processes needed to convert inactive guard members to active status and assisted the 50th PSB with the ranges.

“Soldiers who are going overseas shouldn’t have to worry about how their families are going to pay the bill,” said Majury. That is why the 50th FB is important, he explained.

Finally, the 50th PSB ran the M4 ranges, an M203 range, an M9 range, a shotgun range, an M249 range, an M250 caliber range and a hand grenade range.

“This is great training; the conditions they face are exactly what they will face overseas,” he said.


Boots on ground, HMMWVs ready to roll

By Pfc. Saul Rosa, 444MPAD; photo by Spc. Robert A. Posa, 444MPAD

Approximately 600 Soldiers of the 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) attended High Mobility Multi-purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) training at Fort Indiantown Gap, Pa. March 28 to April 19.

The course, which was conducted by the 1st Battalion, 254th Combat Arms Regiment, trained Soldiers who have had little or no experience with the HMMWV and

taught the basics of both daytime and nighttime driving and vehicle maintenance.

Master Sgt. Steven J. Wollermann, 254th non-commissioned officer in charge of the training explained that the course is designed to provide the basic driver training required for units to issue Soldiers a military drivers license.

The first day consists of HMMWV training videos and classroom instruction on safety, operation and familiarization. On the second day, the Soldiers begin driving the HMMWV and study for the final exam. On the third and final day of training, Soldiers drive the HMMWV with an instructor assessing their performance and take a written exam.

“I learned a lot from the slideshows, in-classroom training, and instructors,” said Pfc. Marlyn Corona, 50th Chemical Co. “I never drove a HMMWV before and I was surprised how well they handle.”

 

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Volume 34 Number 2 Staff / Information
     
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