In preparation for its inactivation April 1 as part of the Army's plan to reduce the overall strength of troops, Soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division's 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team vigorously prepared and transferred 147 facilities to various units across the division.
Originally directed to transfer its facilities in September 2015, Soldiers of the "Dragon" brigade have exceeded the timelines and expectations set forth early last year.
"Some of the bigger challenges that we initially faced were educating our team on (the Department of Public Works) facility transfer standards and understanding what work they could do themselves or how to go about getting assistance from DPW," said Maj. Forrest M. Taylor III, officer in charge of the 4th IBCT facility transfer project.
What made this a workable task was the quality of personnel and leaders in the 4th IBCT, said James L. McGuire, a DPW industrial engineer technician working with the brigade.
The Dragon brigade has not acted alone in this endeavor, however. Much of the brigade's success can be attributed to the hundreds of man hours spent working together with Fort Riley's DPW, which is responsible for inspecting and preparing the facilities before transferring. It is during that process that a number of standards have to be met.
"Fourth IBCT has been professional, inquisitive and collaborative throughout this process," Kyle Ochs, DPW stationing manager, said. "Their ability to push left has been the keystone in giving the 1st Inf. Div. the ability to provide space for activating units."
Key to ensuring that facilities were ready for transfer was the training of the brigade's repair and utility personnel. These Soldiers have logged immeasurable hours painting offices and motor pools, replacing light fixtures and completing other projects to be in compliance with requirements.
The accelerated divestiture plan allowed Dragon brigade leaders to transfer facilities to other units across the division 120-180 days earlier than directed. By transferring three of its motor pools in March, the brigade set the conditions for six units from both 1st and 2nd armored brigade combat teams to move into their new motor pools early. This will afford 2nd ABCT Soldiers the opportunity to move into their new motor pools directly upon returning from their current rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California.
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