So, You want to be a Logistician?

By Calab FranklinJuly 1, 2020

2nd Lt. Seth Hart a logistical officer and platoon leader with 154th Composite Transportation Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade, poses for a portrait photo, Fort Hood, Texas, June 25, 2020.
2nd Lt. Seth Hart a logistical officer and platoon leader with 154th Composite Transportation Company, 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade, poses for a portrait photo, Fort Hood, Texas, June 25, 2020. (Photo Credit: Sgt. Calab Franklin) VIEW ORIGINAL

So, you want to be a Logistician?

Story by: Sgt. Calab Franklin

FORT HOOD, TEXAS – On the verge of deployment and amidst countless days of training and preparation, 2nd Lt. Seth Hart, 154th Composite Transportation Company (CTC), 553rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division Sustainment Brigade, thrives as a young logistics officer and platoon leader.

Hart is enthusiastic about logistics and training with his Soldiers. It is his job to help plan and conduct missions including supply, maintenance, and movement of personnel. Harts job is vital as his decisions and planning dictate whether Soldiers on the battlefield can sustain themselves in a combat zone.

“Being a logistician is amazing,” said Hart “You have a lot of opportunities and it’s a great way for someone with a support MOS (Military Occupational Specialty) to really connect with the combat arms units on the ground.”

Hart is currently the platoon leader of a Heavy Equipment Transporter (HET) platoon and spends most of his time either in the field or the motor pool planning and coordinating in preparation of an upcoming deployment.

“You are always on the move and trying to adapt to new and challenging situations,” said Hart. “It takes a lot of critical thinking skills.”

154th CTC recently conducted a gunnery live fire exercise and got a taste of what it will be like under fire during a support mission. Although simulation and the real thing can be quite different, Hart is confident in the experience and knowledge him and his fellow Troopers gained during the training.

“Just seeing the progression between the crews and going from very minimal experience to subject matter experts in their vehicles and weapons systems is amazing to witness,” said Hart.

Sustainment of Soldiers on the battlefield is just that, on the battlefield, which is why 154th CTC continues to prepare for anything they may encounter while conducting sustainment operations.

Hart stated, regardless of your MOS you are always a Soldier first.

Aside from training Hart also helps plan for the movement of all their equipment and personnel, ensuring each weapon system and vehicle meets the standard.

“We are trying to make this as smooth and seamless as possible when leaving the country,” said Hart. “Here lately we have been prepping and conducting PMCSs (Preventative Maintenance Checks and Services) on weapons, radios, and vehicles.