Reserve Soldiers train at ADMC

By David Dillard, ADMCSeptember 30, 2010

Reserve Soldiers train at ADMC
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - Three Soldiers from the 143rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command recently visited Anniston Defense Munitions Center to get a close look at depot-level ammunition operations. The Soldiers spent time with each of ADMC's four divisions during their visit and learned what it takes to get ammunition from ADMC to the warfighter in theater.

The 143rd ESC is headquartered in Orlando, Fla., but has subordinate units all over the southeastern United States. The mission of the 143rd is to provide command and control of sustainment forces and to conduct sustainment, deployment, redeployment and retrograde operations in support of U.S. and multinational forces in the U.S. Central Command area of operations, according to the unit's official Web site.

The Soldiers, Sgt. Katherine Jones, Spc. Leif Dorman and Pvt. First Class Michael Rivera, came to Anniston during their two-week annual training to get a better understanding of what goes on when ammunition is requested by units that are deployed in support of the current Army mission.

All three Soldiers are in Military Occupational Specialty 89B, Ammunition Specialist, so their primary mission when deployed will be receipt and issue of ammunition.

"Seeing what goes on here at ADMC has given me a better understanding of storage and shipping procedures as well as how to maintain accountability of ammunition," said Jones, who was with the 143rd for its first deployment to Afghanistan.

The Soldiers departed Anniston with a better understanding of what is done daily at ADMC to ensure quality ammunition gets to the warfighter in a timely manner and also that the Soldiers' safety is the number one priority of team ADMC.

"Knowing what ADMC does to ensure safe and reliable ammunition is shipped to theater will give me one less thing to worry about while deployed," said Dorman.

"Hosting the Soldiers from the 143rd ESC was a great opportunity for both the Soldiers and ADMC employees. Everyone gained a better understanding of end to end distribution of munitions from CONUS based depots to the warfighter. We are looking forward to a continuing relationship with the 143rd ESC and further opportunities to help prepare their Soldiers for future deployments," said ADMC Commander Lt. Col. Randall DeLong.