Along with other Northeast areas, Fort Devens Mass., received massive amounts of snow from a series of blizzards during the winter of 2015, which presented unusual challenges for students and instructors at Regional Training-Site-Maintenance, Devens.
Twenty to 30 inches of snow caused the wheeled vehicle non-commissioned officer Advanced Leader Course instructors to adjustment their curriculum so students could train to Army standard.
On Feb. 11, despite temperatures below 20 degrees, students conducted recovery operations training, which included a tactical convoy and motor operations.
They applied the skills they learned and worked as a team to find solutions to the challenges that faced them.
"It's just an obstacle to overcome to complete the mission," said Staff Sgt. David Mellow, 861st Engineer Company, Rhode Island, refering to the blizzard.
Students of various ranks seeking to switch military careers, or advance their military knowledge can train at RTS-M Devens.
"The goal is to take Soldiers with zero mechanical experiences and teach them where to reference, and give them the background of how components work," said Staff Sgt. Nathan P. Page, a course instructor. "If you don't understand how things work together how will you be able to fix it?"
The course teaches mid-level NCOs to be advanced leaders and supervisors, and they earn a civilian certificate for training to Environmental Protection Agency standards. Passing the EPA test authorizes Soldiers to work on military vehicles with air condition, which involves recovering, vacuuming, leak testing and recharging systems. The certification provides for more efficiency when Soldiers return to their home units.
The RTS-M Devens curriculum complies with the One Army School System Concept prescribed by United States Army Training Command. The concept standardizes Army school learning for active-duty and Reserve Soldiers, as well as National Guardsmen.
Active duty Soldiers stationed at Fort Drum N.Y., less than six hours away, training at RTS-M Devens.
The school recently received Excellence in Safety Awards from the 80th Training Command, and the Army Reserve Command.
"If you strive for perfection you'll achieve excellence," said Maj. Marcus Clonch, the school's Commandant.
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