FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson's Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School recently received 10 MAXXPRO Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPS.
The vehicles will help as WVMS staff work on a pilot program for the Ordnance School to provide training to the Fort Lee, Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., and Fort Jackson instructors by facilitating hands-on instruction and training, which will maximize the efficiency of the program.
The MRAP is a family of armored fighting vehicles designed for the Army and Marine Corps. The goal of the training is to provide wheeled vehicle mechanic students the chance to train on equipment that is used by the Army's deploying Soldiers.
"We are working very hard to improve our current lesson plans and to incorporate new technologies to our 91B (mechanics) courses," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Cleveland Witherspoon, WVMS Site 2 director, referring to courses aimed at the wheeled vehicle mechanic military occupational specialty.
The MAXXPRO vehicle incorporates the latest design in armoring technology and has been tested extensively by the military.
"The V-Shaped hull design is a proven technology used in theater today, this crew capsule with a V-shaped hull is mounted on an International WorkStar 7000 chassis and deflects the blast of a land mine or IED away from the vehicle to protect its occupants," said Chief Warrant Officer 4 Gariet Pickering, WVMS Site 1 director.
This vehicle is designed with operational readiness in mind and uses standardized, easily available parts to ensure rapid repair and maintenance. The armored body is bolted together instead of welded, as in other MRAPs facilitating repair in the field. The vehicle is powered by a diesel engine.
The addition of the equipment will go a long way in providing a degree of realism to training
by having students train on the same equipment that is being used in Iraq and Afghanistan, said Chief Warrant Officer 5 Luis Diaz, WVMS director.
"I am very pleased with our new equipment for training and our goal is to provide the best training to our Soldiers," Diaz said. "When I was assigned as WVMS Director my immediate goal was to ensure our (mechanic students) received the proper training and that our school was recognized as the best in the Army. I know this new equipment will give our WVMS team the unique opportunity to train our Soldiers on one of the latest vehicle designs."
The Fort Jackson WVMS will also receive four MRAP all-terrain vehicle, or M-ATVs, a more modern and versatile version of the MRAP.
Editor's note: The addition of the MRAP to the Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic School falls under 1.1 of the Campaign Plan; transforming civilians into Soldiers.
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