NATICK, Mass. -- Jimmy Hayes and Zachary Trotman of the Boston Bruins showed their gratitude to veterans and current members of the military at the Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center, an organization committed to improving the safety and quality of life of our nation's warfighters.
Hayes and Trotman met current members of the military and veterans at NSRDEC. The players also got the opportunity to tour NSRDEC's unique facilities and learn about NSRDEC's efforts to help warfighters stay on top of their game through ongoing technology research and development.
Brian Scott, an NSRDEC equipment specialist and Army veteran, had the opportunity to meet Hayes, whose hometown is the nearby Dorchester, Massachusetts.
"It was an honor to meet one of the Bruins players as I've been a huge Bruins fan my whole life," said Scott.
Scott has special insight into the work done at NSRDEC.
"I am glad I was able to share the pride I take in working at NSRDEC due to the fact as a Soldier, there was technology developed here that saved my life," Scott said. "In August 2008 while deployed to Baghdad, Iraq, the vehicle I was in was hit with an Improvised Explosive Device (IED). The shrapnel that came from the IED and through my vehicle was absorbed by the Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH) I was wearing. Although I sustained injuries and was medically evacuated out of country, I can honestly say that I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for the ACH."
Bruins players toured the Doriot Climatic Chambers and the Cognitive Performance Laboratory. They were also treated to a sampling by NSRDEC's Combat Feeding Directorate.
Scott told Hayes about NSRDEC's Combat Feeding Directorate's efforts to introduce performance optimizing components to the rations for Soldiers, including Omega 3, calcium, Vitamin D, and caffeine.
"As an athlete, I'm sure he can relate on some level to the nutrition needed for high-tempo physical activity and recovery," said Scott. "He also seemed very interested and taste tested some of the items."
The team members also got the chance to participate in the Load Effects Assessment Program, or LEAP. The LEAP tool consists of a series of obstacles and mission-relevant activities to resemble challenges that warfighters face in current combat situations. The tool is helping NSRDEC researchers better understand the effects that clothing and equipment can have on Soldier performance.
The visit ended with a meet-and-greet session between veterans and the Bruins. The session was fittingly held underneath the American flag, concluding a special day filled with recognition and gratitude for the nation's warriors -- past and present.
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The U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center is part of the U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command, which has the mission to ensure decisive overmatch for unified land operations to empower the Army, the joint warfighter and our nation. RDECOM is a major subordinate command of the U.S. Army Materiel Command.
Related Links:
U.S. Army Natick Soldier Research, Development and Engineering Center
Army.mil: Science and Technology News
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