FORT CAVAZOS, Texas — About 100 Texas government officials and staff attended Texas Legislative Day Jan. 31 here, interacting with Soldiers and learning about some of the training conducted at the installation.
Participants received hands-on experience with a variety of military equipment and facility tours, providing the opportunity to learn about the operations and trainings done at the installation, as well as their importance to Army readiness.
The event began with a briefing from Lt. Gen. Kevin D. Admiral, commanding general of Fort Cavazos and III Armored Corps.
“I want to thank you for the support that you’re providing to us,” Admiral said to the legislators. “Every year, we get some funding here to help with our energy resiliency; the money that you provide for the local community; the airport, which is critically important for our ability to deploy; with the railhead support, for us to be able to send Bradleys and all the other combat systems.
“Thank you for your service and taking care of the people of Texas,” Admiral concluded.
From there, legislators and staff were split into four groups. Each group had the opportunity to see and interact with static displays of a M1A2 Enhancement Package version 4 Abrams, M109A7 Paladin, MIM-104 Patriot, M-1070 heavy equipment transporter, M2A4 Bradley, SGT STOUT M-SHORAD, Stryker infantry carrier vehicle, an all-terrain vehicle outfitted for military police and an AH-64 Apache.
The groups also toured the Warrior Skills Training Center, learning and experiencing some of the simulators Soldiers use to train; Medical Simulations Training Center, hearing about the hands-on medical training and seeing the manikins used for instruction; and used the Reconfigurable Virtual Collective Trainer to see, observe and try out some of the control systems for military vehicles.
Texas State Rep. Hillary Hickland (TX-55) enjoyed the day.
“It’s great for other members at the state level, to be here to see face to face boots on the ground (and) what we’re fighting for,” she expressed. “It’s important to understand the needs and the partnership of our military with the state and how it affects our communities and statewide. So, it’s always good to get a greater understanding of those needs.”
Georgia Page, a legislative aide for Texas State Sen. Bryan Hughes (TX-1), noted it was good to learn more about Fort Cavazos and the funding necessary to operate and provide for its community.
“I thought it was interesting looking at the simulations from a standpoint of trying to save money,” she said. “And I think that’s cool to have technology that can help people train easier.”
Morgan Register, legislative director for State Rep. Joanne Shofner (TX-11), also appreciated the opportunity to see some of the training Soldiers conduct.
“Just seeing the inner workings, it’s really great that the Army has allowed us to come out here and be a part of this,” he said. “I hope that we can also provide for the men and women who protect us.”
Each team of legislative staff had a Soldier escort, leading them to each location and answering any questions they had. One escort, Master Sgt. Marvin Blaise, 20th Engineer Battalion, 36th Engineer Brigade, enjoyed interacting with his group.
“I think it’s a good opportunity to meet young men and women making a positive impact in the state at the macro level when it comes to legislation but (also) having the opportunity to allow them to see what we do every day and see some of the laws that they implemented and how that’s impacting service members,” Blaise said. “And I’m thankful for how they appreciate the things that we do every day and we, of course, as a community, appreciate the things they do for us as well.”
Between tours and static displays, participants had lunch with community leaders at Phantom Warrior Center.
Scott Connell, president of the Greater Killeen Chamber of Commerce, gave remarks on the relationship between the installation and the city of Killeen.
“It is our pleasure to share with you something that maybe not everybody gets to see,” he said, “but it’s terribly important that you’re aware of what you have here in Fort Cavazos, in the Killeen area.
“We’re a special place in that Killeen is really adjacent to Fort Cavazos,” he continued. “We really are one community, and Killeen is here to serve that group and everybody who comes in.”
Social Sharing