WIESBADEN, Germany -- Teachers and administrators got an inside look at the life of a Soldier during a special orientation tour here Nov. 10.
"It never hurts to come see what the Soldiers do," said Col. Jeffrey Dill, U.S. Army Garrisons Wiesbaden commander, as he welcomed the group in a session at the Wiesbaden Fitness Center.
This was the third time U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden leaders have invited Department of Defense Dependents Schools Europe staff to Wiesbaden Army Airfield for an inside look at training, equipment, deployment support and other aspects of life when Soldier parents are separated from their families during a deployment.
This year's event also welcomed teachers from local German schools.
During introductory remarks, Roger Gerber, Transformation, Stationing Management Office director, described ongoing efforts to transform the Wiesbaden community to meet a planned move of U.S. Army Europe Headquarters from Heidelberg to Wiesbaden and other future changes.
"If you like teaching in Wiesbaden," Gerber told the teachers, "the future looks good because the population will be increasing."
Describing the construction efforts that will change the face of Wiesbaden Army Airfield and Hainerberg Housing, Gerber said new housing, sports fields, school upgrades, new Child Development Center, new Wiesbaden Entertainment Center and Army lodging facility, new shopping facilities and various other enhancements should offer true community support in a central location.
In the meantime, he added, everyone should be aware that traffic congestion will continue to be an issue, despite efforts to keep construction vehicles out of the regular traffic flow, and patience will be required.
"We want to provide an awareness of the scope and depth of what services are available in the community when Soldiers deploy," said Peter Witmer, garrison school liaison officer, in introducing the Soldiers and civilians on hand to explain what families face during deployments.
Members of the Army Community Service staff, family readiness group leaders and assistants and Military and Family Life consultants described the many layers of support available for service members and their families. Sherri Davenport, Army Community Service's Deployment and Mobilization program manager, said ACS is "a resource for successful Army living."
While the tour answered many general questions about soldiering, the teachers were also curious about the deployed environment and general needs of Soldiers stationed downrange.
After a question about what servicemembers most appreciate when packages are sent downrange, Soldier briefers responded, "toiletries."
"This is great," said Chuck McCarter, Federal Education Association European Area director, while observing how Soldiers train using the Engagement Skills Trainer and getting a chance to fire the weapon simulators himself. "It's giving educators a new awareness.
"I've worked around the military for all these years and worked around the kids but didn't have a clear idea of what the parents do," McCarter said. "I think it's really great when working with kids whose parents are deployed to have an understanding of what the parents are going through."
For Alexa Veit, an elementary school teacher at the Gustav-Stresemann Schule in Mainz-Kastel, joining the American teachers on the tour was an opportunity to network and take a look behind the American fence line.
"I'm very interested in learning more about what goes on on a military installation," said Veit. "You drive by the American installations and think they are so shuttered, and it is really helpful to see what they are doing in Germany."
Veit said she also hoped the exchange would help establish a better network between the German and American schools in the Wiesbaden area. "I hope we can build some kind of communication."
During the tour the educators had an opportunity to don the Improved Outer Tactical Vest which weighs 33 pounds, including the enhanced small arms protective inserts and the deltoid and auxiliary protectors. Educators also tried on the Modular Lightweight Load Carrying Equipment which includes the assault pack and rucksack.
Trying on the same gear Soldiers wear while deployed changed and confirmed perspectives, and encouraged a sense of renewed gratitude for what Soldiers do for their nation, educators said.
"It gives me a deep appreciation for what Soldiers experience," said Brian Buckley, Wiesbaden High School Alcohol and Substance Abuse counselor, while wearing the improved tactical vest and modular lightweight load carrying equipment.
"I'm really impressed with the quality and that it's so well balanced," said Buckley.
"This was very exciting. I never was close to any military members, I only would see them in pictures and on television," said Charlott Schwarz, of the Gustav-Stresemann Schule, who also tried the gear on and noted its aspects of weight, temperature and inhibition.
"This confirmed that the life of the Soldier is not easy," Schwarz added.
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