FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — The 58th Transportation Battalion’s Motor Transport Operator Course is now displaying a new Army Supply Excellence Award, proving superior performance when it comes to keeping track of thousands of pieces of equipment.
The award is for winning the fiscal year 2022-2023 active-duty Army Unit Supply Tables of Distribution and Allowances category, part of the Chief of Staff of the Army’s Logistics Excellence Award Program.
The wooden plaque was presented to the unit in a ceremony at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia, earlier this month.
Former MTOC supply technician, Sharisse Montgomery, said she was glad she got to see the award before she moved out of state a few days ago.
“This award is the highest honor that can be given to a supply unit. The award measures every aspect of unit supply,” Montgomery said.
Montgomery said the award packet they submitted was more than 2,000 pages long and included a physical evaluation on a 20-page inspection.
“The award is extensive and shows the strengths and weaknesses of an organization. This award demonstrates that 58th Transportation MTOC supply sets the standard,” Montgomery added.
She said there is only one way you reach this level of excellence in the Army — teamwork.
“Every individual in our office has brought their own expertise to the organization. It started with Staff Sgt. Otero. As the MTOC supply sergeant, he brought his determination and skill,” Montgomery said.
Staff Sgt. Emilio Otero currently serves as the battalion’s supply NCO. He said the team’s work is vital to the Army’s mission.
“We have $96 million worth of equipment to keep track of,” Otero said. “A big chunk of that is all the vehicles the Soldiers use to graduate as 88M Motor Transport Operators. We are the only installation that has this military occupational school. We are critical because we supply the U.S. Army Forces Command with all their motor transport operators.”
Otero said in the last year they have had a lot of people come in and out of the organization, but each one left a lasting imprint that led to achieving this award.
“This is one of the best teams I have ever worked with,” Otero said.
One of those team members, Nicholas Roth, MTOC’s lead supply and equipment technician, has been with the unit for about seven years. He said when the inspectors came to Fort Leonard Wood, they were, “looking at our ability to follow regulations and the management of our files.”
Roth said the team’s attention to detail is what put them above the other 29 units in the running for the award.
“They checked all our records. We executed our inventory inspection with not one mistake. We also have a bar-code scanner system here that inspectors notated as impressive,” Roth said. “Property accountability is taught at all levels; it is very important to maintain that accountability. We are the stewards of the government’s money.”
Montgomery said every member of the team, from the person who handled the hazardous material portion of the inspection to the one who took the lead on physical security, “played a part in our success.”
Even though she isn’t officially part of the MTOC supply team anymore, she said this is an experience and achievement she will never forget.
“The honor of this award is something that everyone will carry forward. It comes down to teamwork, organization and knowledge. A unit must be organized in every aspect. Knowledge of Army regulations and standards is imperative,” Montgomery said. “I am extremely proud. Our team was phenomenal. It took all of us to win this award.”
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