FORT LEE, Va. (July 2, 2015) -- The Ordnance School's Wheel Maintenance Training Department is scheduled to accommodate a projected 1,900 additional Soldiers annually when the Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School at Fort Jackson, S.C., closes its doors Sept. 30.
The WVMS currently provides the same 12-week, 1-day 91B Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic Course taught here to 4,000 students annually. The Fort Jackson school is still in operation but has gradually drawn down operations since last year.
"The last class is scheduled for July 6," said Dr. Richard B. Armstrong, deputy to the commander of the Ord. School. "We'll start picking up full classes from the school at approximately the same time."
A one-time savings of about $3 million will result from the relocation as well as about $500,000 in annual operating costs, said Armstrong. Additionally, excess equipment will be reallocated to the field, potentially saving millions.
On the cadre side of the house, the WMTD will absorb 72 military and 41 civilian employee authorizations from Fort Jackson. Twenty-two of the 34 actual WVMS civilian employees have officially decided to make the move, and 14 employees have already relocated to Fort Lee. The remaining employees were scheduled to arrive at the end of June. The numbers have surpassed expectations, said Robert Garrison, director, WMTD.
"We figured we would have around 33 percent of the civilian employees who would relocate," he said, "but actually it has been pretty good because up until today it's been about 65 percent."
With the relocations of civilian staff to Fort Lee, WMTD beefs up its roster of trainers with nine master instructors, said Garrison. Master instructor is the highest trainer designation awarded by the Ordnance School. The remaining trainers carry the senior instructor title, the second highest instructor designation.
The large number of relocating civilian employees also will provide a measure of continuity, said Armstrong.
"We could have hired some retiring 91B NCOs, which would have gotten us up to speed in a few years, but being able to relocate those who have been doing it for a long time and doing it so well is advantageous for the Ordnance School," said Armstrong. "It's a win-win situation for the organization and the employees."
The WMTD has undertaken a number of training and administrative actions in preparation of the student increase. It also has acquired additional space outside of its Stever Hall training facilities, said Garrison.
"Within the Ordnance School, we've come up with some really good efficiencies by consolidating some training and freeing up Dickson Hall, where we will accommodate the additional students," said Garrison.
In addition to the student load, WMTD also will absorb tons of additional training equipment from Fort Jackson to include vehicles and training aids. Some of the equipment has already arrived and four more shipments are expected, said Garrison.
With the consolidation, all active Army 91B advanced individual training will now take place at Fort Lee.
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