FORT HOOD, Texas-41st Fires Brigade Soldiers conducted preliminary training on the new deployable rapid assembly shelter (DRASH) used to run a brigade operation center during field time, here, April 12. Soldiers are scheduled to conduct validation training with the equipment throughout the months of May and June.
Harvey Fletcher, a trainer for Northrop Grumman, said that the DRASH system is the new tent system that will be streamlined Army-wide.
"The Secretary of the Army wanted to make everyone common across the border and reduce friendly fire when units are deployed," said Harvey. "This lessens the burden on Soldiers because when they move to another post, they will know the system."
Sgt. 1st Class Adam Scarr, the brigade land and range operator, agreed that commonality among the Army is a good idea.
"If you move from unit to unit there is no difference in learning or having to learn a different piece of equipment," said Scarr. "It is definitely a good idea for the Army to have everyone train on a standardized piece of equipment."
As much as standardization is a good thing, the new DRASH is easier and less labor intensive.
"This new system takes less Soldiers to set up the tents," said Spc. Latosha Rice, a human resource specialist. "It helps that it is quicker to set up when we get to the field so we can focus our main goals."
Pfc. Andrea Godboalt, a unit supply specialist, agreed the new system will save time when in the field.
"This is more like a pop-up tent so we spend less time setting up and use less man-power," said Godboalt. "The older models were more complicated and took at least 15 Soldiers to set-up."
"The medium tent can be set up in approximately 30 minutes by four trained personnel and the large tent can be set-up in an hour by eight trained personnel," said Fletcher. "The older tents took much more resources to set-up and tear down. "
Safety and durability are factors that the Soldiers feel are just as important.
"This new system is more reliable, larger and durable," said Scarr. "Basically the tent rises with air and all we have to do is hammer down the stakes and secure the lines."
Along with reliable construction, the new DRASH system comes packaged together to help insure all pieces are available for use. All the durable pieces of the system are labeled with the same serial numbers.
"This is the new version trailer mounted system (TMS) and is more compact. The older ones were not trailer mounted and came in separate pieces," said Sgt. Maj. Robert Norvell, operations sergeant major for the 41st Fires Bde. "When I pull it in, I know what assets I have available and all auxiliary equipment is stored inside the trailer."
The new DRASH system offers Soldiers a quicker, safer, larger, and more reliable workspace for field operations. With 1,100 sq. feet of workspace available in the large model, setting up a stable command control environment takes less time and resources which can be used for other necessary functions. Having standardized equipment takes the burden off Soldiers when they change units and gives all units the ability to be digitalized and free up resources. The Soldiers trained on the new system, see the improvement and believe the Army is doing the right thing to streamline field operation equipment.
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