FORT SILL, Okla. -- Watson Hall was embraced by the cold chill of December as guests celebrated the newly renovated Basic Combat Training facility with a ribbon cutting ceremony Dec. 5.
The building, called a Starship for its unique architectural design, is the first of four to be completely gutted and redesigned with Soldiers' first taste of military training in mind.
"This is the first thing they're going to see when they come to become Soldiers and it's quite impressive. In the other facility during part of the winter the hot water might not have worked. They go through basic training here -- it's all going to work," said Lt. Col. Bill Davenport, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery commander.
Seven hundred and forty Soldiers currently occupy the building, but at capacity there could be up to 1,200 at one time said Col. Gregory Dewitt, 434th Field Artillery Brigade commander.
He said while the building was being renovated, the drill sergeants had the challenge of moving in their Soldiers and other items while maintaining the training standard.
"Once the brick and mortar were set this battalion had a daunting task of moving Soldiers and a few furniture items during their training cycle," said Dewitt.
Dewitt said the smooth transition was a testament to the cadre of 1-40th FA.
New design
Davenport said the year and a half transformation is like night and day. The old walls have been knocked down and designed with new spatial arrangements and green technology that includes waterless toilets and energy-saving light bulbs.
"This is going to give Soldiers a first rate impression, and I tell you what -- they deserve it," said Davenport.
The building was a former dining facility. And, what used to feed Soldiers hot meals is now a set of classrooms made to feed them Army 101 knowledge instead.
"The first and last weeks of basic training are primarily classroom driven," said Davenport. "We have converted our dining facility into 18 classrooms. Eight large and we have medium and small as well, all designed around the platoon concept. So this whole building was designed with training in mind."
Even the bays are more efficient because the floors are made to be cleaned with only soap and water leaving behind a trail of savings. Davenport said about $16,000 a year is saved on cleaning supplies alone.
The heating, ventilation and air conditioning system has also changed and although the amount of money saved is not known, the time saved from missed training is invaluable.
"The HVAC in the old building was so old we had a lot of upper respiratory problems. With this new building it's all designed with the air returned to keep the Soldiers healthier, and I believe we're going to see a marked improvement in the health of our Soldiers," said Davenport.
There are also twice as many laundry driers in the renovated building so Soldiers won't waste as much time waiting for their uniforms to dry.
Pvt. George Watson
As the civilians transform into Soldiers their journey may include heroic efforts such as those made by the person the building was named for -- Pvt. George Watson. Watson entered the Army in Sept. 1, 1942 and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 29th Quartermaster Regiment.
In March 1943, he was a passenger on board the U.S. Army Transport Jacob en route to join the Army's fight in the Pacific Theater against Imperial Japan.
On March 8, near Porlock Harbor, New Guinea, the ship was attacked by Japanese bombers that left it burning and sinking. Soldiers on board were ordered to abandon ship and had to jump in the water. While in the water, with total disregard for his own life Watson selflessly assisted Soldiers into life rafts who could not swim. Weakened by his exertions he was dragged down by the suction of the sinking ship and drowned.
He was the first black American to receive the Distinguished Service Cross in World War II. His award was upgraded to the Medal of Honor in 1997 by President Bill Clinton in a ceremony that bestowed the Medal of Honor on six other black American veterans of World War II.
Dewitt said the Soldiers inside the building will carry on the legacy that Watson started.
Renovations
Four Basic Combat Training battalion buildings altogether will be renovated from now until fiscal 2017. The next Starship to be renovated is Building 5955 which will be complete by summer of 2013.
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