102d Training Division Graduates Inaugural Class of Network Communication Systems Specialists

By Staff Sgt. Starla LewisMarch 25, 2023

25H Inaugural Graduation
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The inaugural graduation for the Network Communications System Specialist (25H) was held on March 17, 2023
High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course.
(Photo Credit: SSG Starla Lewis)
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Hands on Training
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Drexxen Kiefer walks student through operating the Joint Network Node
High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course.
(Photo Credit: SSG Starla Lewis)
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Line Splicing
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students learn the cable systems installer maintainers portions of the 25H course.

High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Starla Lewis)
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Sharpening Skills
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Spc. Zachary Miescke, attends the 25H reclass course in order to progress in his career as a signal Soldier.

High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Starla Lewis)
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T2C2
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Students from the first 25H course receive hands on training on the Transportable Tactical Command Communications system (T2C2).

High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course. (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Starla Lewis)
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Sacramento, Calif. – The 80th Training Command’s High Tech Sacramento Regional Training Site - Sacramento graduated its first class of 40 students from the new Network Communications System Specialist (25H) course on March 17, 2023 under the instruction and expertise of the 102d Training Division.

Though this reclass course was supposed to start a year from now, Master Sgt. Cathrine Maloy of the 102d, the training center’s Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge, credits the resiliency of her instructors for successfully training and graduating its first class ahead of schedule.

The 25H instructors spent months learning three Military Occupational Specialties (MOS’s) and becoming certified to instruct the course. The previous MOS’s that converted to 25H included Cable Systems Installer Maintainers (25L), Nodal Network Systems Operator-Maintainer (25N), and Multichannel Transmission Systems Operator-Maintainer (25Q).

Drexxen Kiefer, a 25H instructor with the 102d at High Tech Sacramento, spoke to the resiliency of the instructors at the schoolhouse. “Train the trainer, worked for us,” said Kiefer. He also stated that the instructors had to rely heavily on previous MOSs in order to digest the new Program of Instruction (POI), train each other, and present 25H to the students in a meaningful and impactful way.

Spc. Zachary Miescke, a previous Satellite Communication Systems Operator-Maintainer (25S) from Charlie 173rd in Camp Douglas, Wisconsin, has been a signal Soldier for three years.

Miescke said the proficiency of the instructors helped him through this course. His background gave him previous knowledge of signal flow, a key element in the 25H course, but for those who didn’t have a signal background, he said the instructors level of knowledge and experience guided those students through the course.

Master Sgt. Maloy stated that their team extended outside of the schoolhouse. Because they didn’t have all the equipment that their POI required, they worked out partnerships with other local units to share equipment like the Transportable Tactical Command Communications (T2C2) system from the 422nd Expeditionary Signal Battalion in Reno, Nevada as well as equipment from the 319th Signal Battalion in Sacramento, California.

Maloy said these units were happy to help because they knew the equipment would be returned with the latest updates and ready for Troop Program Unit (TPU) Soldiers to receive hands-on training.

The team agreed that they learned a lot from this first class, and that they plan to continue successful practices like consistent communication as they move through the four phases of the 12-week course, as well as maintaining the partnerships they’ve developed which are elements that are imperative to their future success.