FORT LEE, Va. - Congressman David W. Jolly, Florida 13th District, paid a visit to the Combined Arms Support Command here July 17 and was taken on a tour of its schools and the surrounding installation. The visit provided insight into the curriculum, technology and techniques used to train logistics Soldiers and the credentialing opportunities available to them.
Jolly, joined by 20 Florida state legislative and industry representatives, started the visit with a command brief that focused on the many programs CASCOM and the Army have instituted to provide Soldiers with civilian education credits for their military experience. These training and credentialing initiatives offer service members the opportunity to further their careers while in uniform or after they transition to civilian life.
The group listened to presentations on the Army Soldier for Life program, Army Credentialing Opportunities Online, the Army University initiative, CASCOM credentialing pilots and the North Carolina National Guard's training and credentialing initiatives. The delegation had many questions for the presenters and stated they were willing to use their resources to assist in helping Soldiers continue their education and find jobs if they relocate to Florida.
"We are willing to step up to the plate to make this happen," said Jimmie Smith, State Representative for Florida's 34th District. "We want this relationship to continue and provide solid points of contact to ensure we coordinate support."
After the briefing, the delegation toured the schools to see first-hand how technologically advanced Army sustainment training is.
Their first stop was the Quartermaster School's Petroleum and Water Department where they observed Soldiers purifying water. Under the supervision of PWD cadre, the students drew liquid from a standing reservoir and distilled it into pure drinking water. The guests were offered samples of the finished product. They all agreed it was on par with any bottled water available commercially.
Next on the itinerary was the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence where service members learn basic and advanced food service skills. During that portion of the tour, the visitors learned about the joint training facility that accommodates Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Air Force culinary specialists. The delegation also had the opportunity to watch instructors in the advanced division create a specialty dish that students would have to duplicate as part of their training.
The group's final destination was the U.S. Army Ordnance School where they viewed training in the Allied Trades, Wheeled Vehicle and Small Arms Repair courses. The Allied Trades course instructs Soldiers in welding and machining skills and provides credentialing opportunities in both. In the Small Arms Repair course, Soldiers and Marines learn how to troubleshoot and repair pistols, rifles, shotguns, machineguns and mortars, and upon graduating the course, earn a civilian gunsmith diploma from Penn Foster Career School.
The Wheeled Vehicle Course offers students the opportunity to earn Automotive Service Excellence certification and air conditioning/refrigeration credentials at the end of their training. School officials emphasized the value of these certifications that are recognized throughout the automotive industry.
Members of the delegation stated they had no idea of the quality of training the military offered its service members prior to the visit. They also said they were excited to return home to discuss what they learned with their fellow legislators and industry partners in order to provide quality jobs to separating troops.
At the conclusion of the tour, Jolly concurred with his team's assessment of the training they viewed and said he would be talking with his colleagues in Congress to introduce new bills to help veterans obtain employment not only in Florida, but nationwide.
CASCOM is responsible for training more than 180,000 students annually through 541 courses taught by the Ordnance, Quartermaster and Transportation schools, Soldier Support Institute and Army Logistics University. It is also a major subordinate command of the Training and Doctrine Command.
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