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12 CAB Soldier invests in his community

By Capt. Gabrielle HildebrandJune 9, 2022

12 CAB Soldier invests in his community
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Garrett Nussbaumer, assigned to the 1st Battalion (General Support), 214th Aviation Regiment, guides JROTC cadets on the courts at Ansbach Middle High School, Germany, May 2, 2022. Nussbaumer has been volunteering his time to assist the JROTC drill team, which recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
12 CAB Soldier invests in his community
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Garrett Nussbaumer, assigned to the 1st Battalion (General Support), 214th Aviation Regiment, guides JROTC cadets on the courts at Ansbach Middle High School, Germany, May 2, 2022. Nussbaumer has been volunteering his time to assist the JROTC drill team, which recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe. They work alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retain command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ansbach JROTC drill team
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets assigned to the 9th U.S. Army JROTC Battalion drill team train, practice their drill and ceremonies on the courts at Ansbach Middle High School, Germany, May 2, 2022. The drill team recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ansbach JROTC drill team
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Cadets assigned to the 9th U.S. Army JROTC Battalion drill team train for an upcoming drill competition at the Ansbach Middle High School, Germany, May 2, 2022. The drill team recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL

Spc. Garrett Nussbaumer, assigned to the 1st Battalion (General Support), 214th Aviation Regiment, is doing his part to invest in the community at Katterbach, Germany. Investing in the community is more than just donating and spending money towards economic development in your area. Investing in the community includes spending time and giving back to the people and relationships surrounding you.

When he isn't busy working on one of the Army's most utilized helicopters, Chinook, Nussbaumer travels with the Outdoor Recreation program, attends a BOSS meeting, or helps train the 9th U.S. Army JROTC Battalion, drill team.

"I enjoy helping and volunteering," said Nussbaumer. "JROTC was a big deal to me when I was younger. It was my place to go when I was in high school."

When he initially arrived at Ansbach while attending an MWR event, Nussbaumer noticed the JROTC drill team performing. He then approached the group and shared his knowledge and drill team skills.

"He has been a tremendous help," said Christoper Buchanan, 9th JROTC Battalion instructor, and retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. "He brings spinning and flipping of the rifles and his experience to the team, which is something I don't have."

The JROTC drill team is about building teamwork and confidence in the participants.

"Our young students become more confident in themselves and raise their self-esteem," said Buchanan. "The drill team gives them the competitive edge they will need in life."

The drill team recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. The current team is comprised of 18 middle school and high school students.

Ansbach JROTC drill team
Spc. Garrett Nussbaumer, assigned to the 1st Battalion (General Support), 214th Aviation Regiment, and Christopher Buchanan, 9th JROTC Battalion instructor, with cadets assigned to the 9th U.S. Army JROTC Battalion drill team train, pose for a photo at the Ansbach Middle High School, Germany, May 2, 2022. The drill team recently wrapped up their season and finished second place in the Department of Defense Education Activity Army JROTC European Championship. (U.S. Army photo by Cpt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) (Photo Credit: Capt. Gabrielle Hildebrand) VIEW ORIGINAL

"Our team is mostly eighth graders and five high school students," said Buchanan. "We are competing against these big high schools like Wiesbaden, Stuttgart, Vilseck, Hoenfels, and Baumholder, and we hold our own. It is all due to the hard work and effort the students put into this program."

Investing in the community isn't just monetary; it's also sharing knowledge with your community and Nussbaumer's decision to do so is paying dividends.