JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- After more than a decade of supporting training and post-mobilization operations at Army Support Activity Fort Dix, the First Army presence here is transitioning its role to planning and executing pre-mobilization mission sets.
"Today marks a significant milestone in the 174th Infantry Brigade since it came here from Fort Drum (N.Y.) in 2007," said Col. Michael Wawrzyniak, commander, 174th Infantry Brigade during a Commanders Update Brief March 30, 2015. "We executed our last post-mob training event this weekend and with that we shift our focus to pre-mobilization exercise support."
Training is the foundation of everything we do. 'Train for Combat' is the First Army motto. No matter where in the Army Forces Generation Cycle a unit finds itself -- training requirements remain a driving force.
"Our priority of effort is on how we can best support our Reserve Component counterparts," said Wawrzyniak to the brigade staff and subordinate battalion leadership. "Think about our OC/T (Observer, Coach/Trainer) capabilities and enablers we provided for post-mobilization and how these tools can help us best engage with our partner units."
Since the 174th Patriot Brigade assumed the post-mobilization training mission from the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade in the spring of 2007, the brigade has trained more than 100,000 service members preparing for deployment at JB MDL in support of Overseas Contingency Operations.
"Personally, I see it as having directly affected the mission downrange," said Staff Sgt. Peter King, combat medic and 174th OC/T. "It was our responsibility as subject matter experts to make sure service members had the skills needed to save lives. It was one of the most rewarding experiences I have had in my career." King recently transitioned to the 439th Medical Battalion at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J. as the unit's operations noncommissioned officer.
The 174th provided individual and collective training for Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Coastguardsmen deploying in support of missions in Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa and other contingency locations.
"We took Soldiers and turned them into Warriors," said Master Sgt. Raymond Alston, senior combatives OC/T and level-four Modern Army Combatives Program Instructor. "We increased confidence with hand-to-hand combat and motivated positive change in physical fitness and individual endurance. Without hesitation, it was the best job in the world and I'll be the first to admit I'm going to miss it."
Although the 174th post-mobilization mission is complete, the overall mission remains constant: to provide the best training tailored to a unit's specific mission. No matter the time or place, 174th OC/T's will continue to support its Reserve and National Guard partners with integrated and relevant training.
As part of the First Army Bold Shift initiative, the 174th is transitioning to best support its Reserve and Guard partners at their point of need, or home stations. To achieve collective readiness in accordance with Army Total Force Policy, the 174th focus is on coordinating with Reserve and Guard leadership, to help plan exercises and assist in scenario development.
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