An opportunity is available to Army Reserve and Army National Guard Soldiers returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom and/or Operation Enduring Freedom to participate in the Operation Warrior Trainer (OWT) program.
The program entails recruiting Soldiers who recently have returned from theater to train Soldiers at one of 12 installations using their experience and knowledge gained overseas, said Sgt. Maj. Jacqueline V. McRae of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division, Training Support Battalion (TSB).
The OWT program, at Fort McCoy since November 2005, allows redeployed Soldiers to voluntarily remain on active duty to train mobilized Soldiers to the Army standard.
McRae and Sgt. Maj. James C. Bass of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division, TSB, conduct an OWT briefing at the Soldier Readiness Center during the demobilization process.
If Soldiers are interested in the program, they are given the opportunity to speak with McRae and Bass to learn more.
Soldiers primarily learn about the OWT program during demobilization, though some have been made aware of it overseas through First U.S. Army and/or word-of-mouth.
McRae said work is under way to create more awareness overseas.
"A Soldier only has three to five days from the time he/she returns to decide whether they want to be an OWT and remain on active duty," said McRae. "They still have 180 days from the time of their release from active duty to come back on, but it's a longer process."
McRae said the Soldiers can work at another installation if they choose.
Interested Soldiers are interviewed about combat experience and must meet Army regulations and standards, said Bass.
"The majority of Soldiers interviewed, approximately 95 percent, are accepted into the program," said Bass.
Master Sgt. Timothy C. Lawrence of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division, TSB, said after Soldiers are selected for the OWT program, they must undergo a one-day observer/controller trainer course and a three-day combat lifesaver course.
After the courses are completed, the OWT is interviewed to decide where he/she will be placed according to their area of expertise.
"An OWT at Fort McCoy will meet with Command Sergeant Major Walter E. Rakow, of the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division, and he will look at the Soldier's in-theater experiences," said Lawrence. "Based on the interview and the needs of the battalion, I'm told where to match the person up."
Overall, an OWT is given five days to train up before training mobilizing Soldiers.
"We make sure everybody is trained on everything, so that wherever they're sent to train, they can jump right in," said McRae.
The First Army OWT program is authorized about 3,900 OWTs, said Maj. Mark B. Taylor, mobilization/operations officer for the 2nd Brigade, 85th Division. As of Sept. 6, the TSB at Fort McCoy has filled 132 of 207 OWT positions it is authorized.
OWTs can extend their time as a trainer up to three consecutive years.
Sgt. Thomas I. Vizcarrondo, an OWT who redeployed in May with the 344th Combat Support Hospital (CSH), Army Reserve, said the program is very logistically sound.
"In general, it gives Soldiers who just returned from theater an opportunity to give Soldiers who are about to enter theater a couple of lessons learned," said Vizcarrondo.
"It's a very good avenue of approach -- we actually coach, train, mentor, and observe Soldiers going out."
"Initially, I thought we'd just be observing units and giving them tips for in-country, but we are able to give them a foundation so they can expound on it for their own mission," said 1st Lt. Dawn R. Gordon, an OWT who redeployed in May with the 344th CSH.
Maj. Gregory L. Forbord, an OWT who redeployed in March with the embedded Military Transition Team, Army National Guard, said a common question asked of him by mobilizing Soldiers is, 'Are we making a difference overseas''
"I can emphatically say, yes we are," said Forbord. "I served in Afghanistan, and I can say the country is better off for us being there -- we're teaching the people how to take ownership of their country and to sustain themselves."
"The trainers here who have not deployed are very knowledgeable and they're more knowledgeable than even I am when it comes to their classes and what they're teaching," said Capt. Juliette A. Winters, an OWT since June with the 344th CSH.
"However, they'll come to me to ask theater-specific questions. The trainers can tell Soldiers what to expect, but OWTs can tell Soldiers exactly what the roads look like, what it's like to be on a convoy, and so forth."
"I tell Soldiers to always be mindful of what the other guy is thinking -- they have to think outside of the box," said Sgt. Mark E. Morrison, an OWT who redeployed in June with the 48th Infantry Brigade, Army National Guard.
"I recommend this program to Soldiers because it's a chance for them to give back what they've learned -- the more you learn, the better chance you have for survival," said Staff Sgt. Lincoln M. Frazer, an OWT who redeployed in May with the 344th CSH.
"I would have loved if I'd had the opportunity to have OWTs available when I mobilized through Fort McCoy to answer my questions," said Winters. "Half the battle was the fear of the unknown."
"This is an excellent program -- I would recommend it to other Soldiers," said Staff Sgt. James L. McMillan, an OWT who redeployed in May with the 48th Infantry Brigade. "It's a valuable tool."
(Witscheber is a public affairs specialist for Eagle Systems and Services Inc., contractor for CONUS Support Base Services.)
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