training portion of the exercise. More than 300 military and civilian contracting
professionals converged on Fort Bliss, Texas, Jan. 13-31, to prepare for possible dep... VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT BLISS, Texas - After five days of warrior task training during the Army Contracting Command's Joint Contracting Readiness Exercise 2013 here, participants are "feeling it."
More than 200 Soldiers, sailors, Marines, and DOD civilians are attending the military contracting and warrior task training.
"This is the place to be in so far as making contacts and meeting some of the people you've worked with in the field," said Kimberly Kilpatrick, Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Bragg, N.C. "I've participated in all of the warrior training and I have to say my legs are sore. It really gives you an appreciation for Soldiers."
She hopes the feeling is mutual since staying in the barracks is a bit different than what Kilpatrick is accustomed to.
"I hope the Soldiers see we are trying to connect with them on their level," said Kilpatrick, who hadn't slept in a barracks since 1991 when she was in the Air Force. One Soldier clearly sees herself in those going through the training. Staff Sgt. Channel Pederson, is a new 51C acquisition, logistics and technology contracting noncommissioned officer in the 900th Contingency Contracting Battalion, Fort Bragg.
"They needed people to help run the equipment and they selected me," said Pederson, who entered the acquisition career field less than a year ago. "I'm fortunate to do this because I'll be one of the trainees next year. This kind of gives me an upper hand on next year because I
get to see things from a different point of view than the trainees."
According to Angelina McGrogan, MICC-Fort Bragg, the warrior task training is great for any Soldier or civilian who might be deploying down range.
"All of this training would really help if you are deploying," said the former Soldier. "The combat medical training was very realistic. It's much different putting a tourniquet onto a bleeding dummy.
"I personally enjoyed the weapons training, but I think that the most useful training for me would be the medical piece," she said. "That way I could save my buddy and shoot the enemy."
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