When most people think of White Sands Missile Range, they picture engineers and scientists in white laboratory coats at work. However, the reality is much more dynamic. The range operates like a self-sustained town, offering a wide array of job opportunities. Skilled laborers play a pivotal role in maintaining the range's functionality, with professions ranging from plumbers to heat and air conditioning technicians. These specialists are crucial to maintaining the functionality of White Sands Missile Range, they are the unsung heroes who keep the range running smoothly, ensuring everything operates seamlessly.
According to Col. George C. Turner, the Commander of White Sands Missile Range, "the blue-collar workforce and white-collar workforce are equally important to WSMR's mission success. We need to ensure that our talent management strategies continue to recruit and retain the right people for the right jobs."
The Commercial Driver's License program at White Sands Missile Range is more than just a training opportunity; it's a crucial part of the mission. Turner and the leadership's significant support for the program is evidence of the importance of training in fulfilling WSMR's mission requirements. This CDL training addresses a specific need within the diverse job requirements at White Sands, clearly indicating their commitment to the range's collective success.
In an impressive collaboration, the White Sands Test Center, the White Sands Missile Range Garrison Department of Public Works, and Southwest Range Services are working together on the CDL Program at White Sands Missile Range. A dedicated team of professionals is putting their best foot forward to ensure the success of this program. Edward Cruz, the G-1 Training Coordinator at the Army Test and Evaluation Command, was instrumental in securing a top-notch classroom for the training sessions and skillfully negotiated with Mountain View Institute to bring their expertise to WSMR. Meanwhile, Hector Chavez, the G3/5/7 Master Driver, left no stone unturned as he partnered with the White Sands Test Center Directorates, Southwest Range Services, and DPW to assess the specific requirements for Commercial Driver's Licenses in each organization, and also orchestrated the collaboration with Mountain View Institute to join forces at WSMR.
Specialized training is critical for employees like Martin Venegas, the Master Driver for White Sand's Department of Public Works, who says the program enables the Garrison to have individuals certified in Commercial Driver's Licenses for critical DPW positions supporting the installation. According to Venegas, the course's accessibility allows his department to save money and meet all standards and regulations, especially in the face of recent Department of Transportation changes and ongoing budget cuts.
In agreement with Venegas is Christopher Garcia from Southwest Range Services; the company offers various programs and range support to White Sands, including the delivery and retrieval of generators, moving targets, buildings, tactical vehicles, and ammunition.
"There are never enough CDL drivers to go around, and getting several more trained and licensed is a definite plus for SRS and range support," said Garcia.
Due to the overwhelming response, the current CDL course at WSMR was open to the entire White Sands Missile Range community, a change from the previous class. This inclusive approach to training has led to significant cost savings for both the government and WSMR.
Looking ahead, there are exciting plans to expand training programs at White Sands Missile Range. "Currently, we are looking into other avenues of training, such as scissor lifts, all-terrain vehicles and heavy equipment using this same concept of bringing the training to the installation," said Chavez.
Moreover, the program's success has attracted interest from other installations, indicating the exciting possibility of this program being replicated at different military installations.
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