DPTMS arms Soldiers with knowledge on antiterrorism

By Spc. Noelle WieheAugust 7, 2018

DPTMS arms Soldiers with knowledge on antiterrorism
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Randall "Mack" McPherson, a Fort Stewart, Ga., installation emergency manager, fills a box with anti-terrorism awareness and emergency preparedness information Aug. 1, 2018. The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security team opened a... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
DPTMS arms Soldiers with knowledge on anti-terrorism
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization, and Security team opened a new anti-terrorism resource center in Building 1237 on Fort Stewart, Ga., recently. The resource center is stocked with cardboard boxes to help Soldiers, Families, and insta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - The specialists within the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security are spreading the word of their newly organized Resource Center, which makes materials on antiterrorism and preparedness available throughout the year, but especially during Antiterrorism Awareness Month this August.

The center is intended to support security awareness within Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, said Dave Evans, antiterrorism specialist with DPTMS.

"This is the best concept that we've had in a long, long time," said Randall "Mack" McPherson, installation emergency manager.

More than 80 slots in the center contain posters, handouts, preparedness merchandise and informational materials, McPherson said.

In addition, the DPTMS staff stocked the Resource Center with cardboard boxes to help Soldiers, Families and installation employees transport all the materials they grab.

Terrorism is an enduring, persistent, worldwide threat to the nation and the forces, according to the U.S. Army Office of the Provost Marshal General. People are the Army's greatest asset and protecting Army communities is a vital responsibility of the Army.

McPherson said the main reason people should arm themselves with information this month on antiterrorism is, "... because anything can happen."

"You've got to be alert because we're not going to get any warnings," Evans said. "Everybody has got to be situationally aware of what is going on around them."

The resource center was developed to provide unit antiterrorism officers and emergency management coordinators a year-round resource, but DPTMS welcomes all DOD cardholders.

Evans said DTPMS also conducts AT Level II training. This past June, they graduated 41 AT Level II officers.

Soldiers in the training are familiarized with AT plans and policies. The ATOs then take the training back to their organizations. Well-ran unit AT Programs help those organizations provide a safer and more secure environment for their Soldiers, civilians and Family Members, Evans said. This translates into an overall safer and secure installation.

Personnel who visit the center will find information on individual protective measures, emergency preparedness, operational security, computer security, cyber security and antiterrorism. There is also information on hurricane and severe weather preparedness.

There are even coloring books with crayons for kids to be educated, and to ignite their curiosity about antiterrorism.

"Be aware, be prepared and say something if you see something," McPherson said.

The Resource Center will be available year round for Newcomers Fairs, Deployment Fairs, Family Readiness Group meetings, and to support annual Antiterrorism Level I Awareness Training briefings.

Visit the Resource Center at the DPTMS building on Fort Stewart in Building 1237 at 1286 McFarland Avenue. For information, contact Dave Evans of DPTMS at 912-767-1109 or the Hunter Army Airfield point of contact, Tony Mabrey at 912-315-5350.