Joint Rigger Training
Ssgt Stephen M. Hampton
The US Army Quartermaster Center and School (USAQMC&S) has taught parachute rigging at Fort Lee, VA, since 1951. The Airborne and Field Services Department has been tasked to train all branches of the armed forces in preparing many types of airdrop equipment. Before June 1987, the US Air Force had no permanent party personnel assigned to Fort Lee to assist the Army in teaching parachute riggers.
In June 1987, the Army’s Quartermaster school and the Air Force’s Air Education Training Command at Randolph Air Force Base in San Antonio, TX, agreed upon a small Air Force unit within the Airborne and Field Services Department to give Air Force students rigger training alongside the three other services already at Fort Lee. Once the details were worked out between the Army and Air Force, Operation Location Alpha (OL-A) 345th Training Squadron was activated on 1 Jul 87.
At the beginning, OL-A was assigned to an Air Force training unit at Sheppard Air Force Base, TX, but in July 1993 was reassigned to the 37th Training Wing, 37th Training Group, 345th Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. The unit received its first four instructors in December 1987. Those instructors spent many long days getting the unit up and running. All administrative help from the Air Force was 1,500 miles away. Personnel in the Airborne and Field Services Department went out of their way to help each Air Force member. The Army community accepted OL-A with open arms. Quickly, each Air Force instructor attended Army instructor qualification courses and then began to teach.
In August 1993, the OL began receiving four new instructors. These were the first new Air Force instructors since the establishment of the unit. Working with Army, Navy and Marine instructors is a unique experience. Because much of what goes on in the military is in a joint environment, the chance to spend three years with all three branches of the service in one location is very good career move for anyone. More and more of the daily operations of each branch are being consolidated. The Army is the Department of Defense component of parachute rigger training, so it made sense to host instructors from each branch of the service at Fort Lee,
In the nine years since the OL-A 345th Training Squadron was established at Fort Lee, members of the OL have their families living and working at Fort Lee. The Air Force still sends many Air Transportation Specialists and Aircraft Loadmasters to train at the Quartermaster school. Branches of the service have benefited from one another. Different ideas and techniques have been incorporated into training soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines to be parachute riggers.
Ssgt Stephen M. Hampton is a Technical Training Instructor assigned to the 345th Training Squadron, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, Operating Location-Alpha, Fort Lee, Virginia. He is a graduate of the Air Transportation Specialist Course, Airlift of Hazardous Material Course, Fabrication of Aerial Delivery Loads Course, Army Instructor Training Course, Air Force Principles of Instruction Course, and the Air Force Airman Leadership School. He holds an associate’s degree from the Community College of the Air Force, Saint Leo College, and a bachelor of arts degree from Saint Leo College. Before coming to Fort Lee, he was a Mobility Instructor and an Air Transportation Specialist assigned to the 27th Fighter Wing, Cannon Air Force Base, New Mexico, and the 139th Aerial Port Flight of the Missouri Air National Guard.
Slingload Inspector Certification
The Department of Defense recently designated the USAQMC&S the proponent for External Aerial Transport (Slingload). After extensive research, the Airborne and Field Services Department, the new proponent agency, is establishing a Slingload Inspector Certification Course. This course, along with the Infantry School’s Air Assault and Pathfinder Courses, will train a noncommissioned officer (NCO) or officer to perform final inspection for any slingload cargo or equipment configuration and certify NCOs and officers to instruct unit personnel in slingload operations. The course is designed to standardize slingload training and operations, reassure commanders and air crews of the positive control of slingload operations, and enhance ground crew and aviation safety. The one-week Slingload Inspector Certification Course will be taught at Fort Lee, VA, for personnel unable to attend the Air Assault or Pathfinder Courses.
SARSS-O Management Training
Officers attending the Quartermaster Office Basic Course began training in the management of the Standard Army Retail Supply System-Objective (SARSS-O) on 13 Feb 96. These officers receive 20 hours of training in SARSS-1 (direct support unit supply operations) and 12 hours of training in SARSS-2A (division, brigade and Armored Cavalry regiment supply operations). Instructors are senior warrant officers assigned to the Logistics Training Department with practical field experience on these systems.
New 92Y10 Training
The new computer disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) Army Log System is now being trained to 92Y10 (Unit Supply Specialist at Level 10) students at the USAQMC&S. The Army Log System is the replacement for the microfiche and the microfiche readers that access the Army Master Data File (AMDF). This training started with Class 96-012, which graduated 26 Jan 96. The program of instruction includes 3.5 hours of demonstration and 4 hours of actual hands-on training using a computer system with a CD-ROM reader. After the CD-ROM Army Log training, the soldiers should be able to successfully perform the following tasks:
- Retrieve items from the data files and cross-reference items to different line item numbers (LINs), national item identification numbers (NIINs), and related national stock number/multiple class nomenclature (NSN/MCN).
- Use function keys to find the line definitions of the data elements and their values.
- Identify items that have substitute, new or deleted line numbers.
- Select and produce output of selected data elements instead of viewing the entire record.
- Produce a user manual for the Army Log System.
- Cross reference NIIN to national stock number.
- Locate and select item records within the AMDF.
- Perform cross-reference by single query list selection and multiple query list selection within the cross-reference data file.
- Perform cross-reference research among the following files: commercial and government entry code (CAGEC), NIIN, and nomenclature reference number.
92G Soldierization
The 266th Quartermaster Battalion at Fort Lee, VA, is solely responsible for the soldierization of all the Army’s Food Service Specialists. The demanding training requires the soldier to maintain focus on both technical military occupational specialty training and general military training. Physical fitness training is conducted six days a week with muscle failure and aerobic exercises, with running events, on alternating days. Each soldier must obtain at least 180 points on the End of Course Army Physical Fitness Test. However, the goal is to achieve 220 points, which is consistently achieved by each of the three Quartermaster companies responsible for the 92G training. This is no small achievement because many soldiers are only able to meet the Basic Combat Training (BCT) standard of 150 points approved by the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) when the soldiers arrive at Fort Lee. Also, each soldier participates in a battalion 4-mile run (within 36 minutes) and several company 4-mile runs. Special Population Physical Fitness Training is also conducted six days a week for soldiers who have physical fitness deficiencies or who are recovering from a profile. Each company conducts a monthly 10-mile road march and provides opportunities for adventure training such as rappelling and the obstacle course. The soldiers also receive reinforcement of common training tasks taught in BCT, as well as many other general military subjects.
The highlight of advanced individual training (AIT) is participating in a multi-echelon field training exercise called Log Warrior. Food Service Specialists, guided by their instructors, feed three companies in a truly demanding tactical environment. They provide their own security, operate all food service equipment and learn field craft. They also participate in tactical lane training led by their assigned squad leader from the Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course. All participants are outfitted in Multiple Integrated Laser Engagement System (MILES) equipment, which is another highlight of their training at Fort Lee. All this, plus the state-of-the-art technical training conducted by the instructors of the Army Center of Excellence, Subsistence, completes their preparation to take their place in the ranks of Food Service Specialists throughout the Army. Other soldiers attending different AIT courses at Fort Lee receive similar physical training challenges and must meet the TRADOC standard of 180 on the Army Physical Fitness Test before leaving Fort Lee. Exceptions are soldiers with physical profiles.
Clothing and Individual Equipment Improvements
The USAQMC&S assumed proponency for Clothing and Individual Equipment (CIE) in March 1993 for the following items: Army Green Service Uniforms (Class A/B) and accessories, Women’s Dress Uniforms, General Officer Uniforms, Maternity Uniforms and Cooks’ White Uniforms. The point of contact for CIE issues is CPT Jeff Mariano at DSN 687-0571 (FAX 0574), (804) 734-0571 (FAX 0574) or E-mail to marianoj@lee-dns1.army.mil. The following CIE initiatives are complete or are in progress:
Woman’s Oxford Shoe* This was a standardization effort between the Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps to replace the existing black oxford shoe. This shoe will be available about June 1996 at the Military Clothing Sales Store.
Woman’s Belt and Buckle* Adopted after favorable acceptance by test participants, this is now a clothing bag item that is standardized between the Army, Air Force and Navy. It will be available at the end of 1996.
Woman’s Slacks* A new and improved design was adopted to replace the existing slacks in the clothing bag. Changes in design features include a two-piece waistband with center back seam and 2 1/4-inch outlet for alterations; added belt loops; narrower legs; Department of Defense sizing system (waist/hip measurements in conventional 8, 10, 12 sizing); gripper strip on waistband; and outlet in the thigh and crotch area for alterations. The estimated date of issue is October 1996 (FY97).
Woman’s Overblouse This is an optional purchase item. The new overblouse design offers flexibility for tuck-in or over-the-skirt appearance, front straight princess seams for alterations, three-piece back, two-button cuffs for accommodating sleeve lengths, larger armholes, and a wider chest area.
Woman’s Shirt, Long/Short Sleeves* New features include a tuck-in design, front straight princess seams for alterations, one-piece back, two-button cuffs for accommodating sleeve lengths, DOD sizing system, one collar design, larger armholes, and a wider chest area. The estimated issue in the clothing bag is FY97.
Woman’s Neck Tab* This item is standardized between the Army and Marine Corps. A replacement for the old neck tab, it will be available in the Military Clothing Sales Store in January 1996.
Maternity Program This standardization between the Army, Air Force, Navy and Marine Corps resulted in the adoption of a tunic, skirt, long/short sleeve shirts, and slacks. A fully elasticized waistband in the skirt and slacks received overwhelming acceptance by test participants in their third trimesters of pregnancy. This ensemble will be available in June 1996.
Optional Purchase Army Green Service Uniform (AG 491) An initiative to change the fabric for the optional purchase AG 491 has been staffed worldwide. A need was identified to enhance the comfort, form, fit, function and durability of the existing AG 491 uniform. Prototype testing will begin in 3d/4th Quarter 1996. The two possible fabrics consist of a 75 percent polyester 25 percent wool blend and a newer 100 percent polyester fabric. No fabric will be selected if preset criteria are not achieved.
*Issue item for clothing bag.
Petroleum Field Manual Consolidation
FM 10-70 (Inspecting and Testing Petroleum Products), dated 9 May 83, and FM 10-72 (Petroleum Surveillance: Laboratories and Kits), dated 11 Aug 86, will be consolidated into FM 10-67-2 (Petroleum Laboratory Testing and Equipment). FM 10-67-2 will give the Petroleum Laboratory Specialist an overview of responsibilities within the developed and undeveloped theaters. Some specific areas of interest will be environmental issues, new laboratories and test kits, and updated petroleum and petroleum-related products. FM 10-67-2 is scheduled for final print in 1st Quarter, FY97.
Water Purification Equipment
The 1,500-gallon per hour (GPH) Reverse Osmosis Water Purification Unit (ROWPU) is a modified nondevelopmental program with the US Marine Corps that will replace the existing 600-GPH ROWPU in the Department of Defense inventory. The new ROWPU will be designed for skid, trailer or truck-mounted operation and will overcome many of the design shortfalls evident with the 600-GPH ROWPU. Specific development requirements include operating during cold weather, purifying coastal sea waters with high levels of total dissolved solids (up to 45,000 parts per million), and using corrosion-resistant materials. The total Army requirement is 160 systems. Each 1,500-GPH ROWPU will replace two 600-GPH ROWPUs in the division and will reduce the number of personnel required to operate a division’s water point from four to three.
The materiel developer is the Tank Automotive Command Research Development Engineering Center-Mobility Technology Center, Fort Belvoir, VA. Prototype testing will begin during FY98/99. Equipping the first Army unit is scheduled for FY01/02.
ROWPU Pressure Simulators
A common problem identified by Active and Reserve Component units during field training is difficulty in obtaining environmental permits to discharge wastewater, brine water and treated water to the original water source. Discharge permits often require a long lead time for state and local authority approval. In many cases, units cannot discharge waste, brine and treated water to the original source and must line-haul these waters back to the host installation for discharge into the installation’s wastewater treatment plant. This can be costly in terms of manpower, time and use of limited transportation assets.
Membrane pressure simulators are available for training with the 600-GPH ROWPU. Pressure simulators can be useful because they allow units to operate ROWPUs without using costly reverse osmosis elements and also may eliminate the need for environmental discharge permits to water sources. However, treated water for consumption during field training exercises must be obtained from installation water points. Pressure simulators enhance training by allowing soldiers to operate their equipment at realistic pressure gauge readings. Also, pressure simulators can eliminate the requirement for line-hauling waste, brine or treated water back to the installation for disposal if water treatment chemicals are not used during ROWPU training.
These membrane pressure simulators are training aids that are not listed in 600-GPH ROWPU technical manuals. Two simulators (inlet and outlet) are required for each reverse osmosis membrane vessel. Plans are underway to obtain national stock numbers for pressure simulators used with the 3,000-GPH ROWPU. Simulators for the 600-GPH ROWPU will be available in the Army Supply System in May 1996.
Questions about installation and operating procedures are available from the Tank-Automotive Research Development Engineering Center, Fort Belvoir, VA. Contact Martha Newman at DSN 654-1843.
Automatic Ripcord Release (AR2)
The AR2 is the new replacement for the FF2 automatic ripcord release used with the MC-4 military free-fall system. The AR2 is a nondevelopmental item that capitalizes on the cooperation between the engineers at Natick Research and Development Center, Natick, MA, and private industry. The AR2 provides several additional features. Along with the automatic opening at a specific predetermined altitude, it also has a rate-of-fall sensing chamber which will prevent the device from activating when the jumper is under full canopy. The current FF2 system activates even after the jumper is under full canopy, resulting in greater wear on the system, more maintenance and fewer actual jump activations. The new AR2 will only activate if the jumper fails to deploy the main parachute at the minimum required altitude. Another feature of the AR2 is its ability to be attached either to the main parachute or to the reserve parachute. The FF2 is used only with the main. The AR2 is almost maintenance-free and provides more actual jumps before requiring service.
Improved Reserve Parachute
The reliability of the Troop Chest Reserve parachute has been improved with an Improved Reserve Parachute System (IRPS) modification. The modification added a spring-loaded deployed pilot parachute attached to a 13-foot bridle sling. Attached to the bridle line are two curved pins that are inserted into two soft loops to retain the canopy within the pack until deployment of the pilot parachute. This action provides for a more positive reserve deployment and inflation. The improved reserve also standardizes emergency procedures to a "single pull" activation. The spring-loaded device increases reliability to 95 percent with an added benefit of a 3.4-second faster opening. Currently, the Airborne and Field Services Department, USAQMC&S, has deployed New Equipment Training Teams to Fort Benning, GA, and Fort Bragg, NC, to qualify personnel on the new parachute. Training to new 92R (Parachute Rigger) advanced individual training students at the rigger school began in March 1996. These students are receiving training on both the standard T-10 reserve and new IRPS until all parachutes have been modified worldwide.
21st Century Classrooms
The USAQMC&S is redesigning many of its classrooms to meet with the instructional needs of the 21st Century. This project, called "Classroom XXI" by the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, will bring digitized presentation material such as lesson plans and charts to the soldier with both sight and sound (multimedia technology) to get the message to the student.
All classrooms will have a multimedia instructor station attached to a video presentation device. These components allow the instructor to present the old viewgraphs directly out of a PowerPoint presentation onto a screen as large as 300 inches diagonally. In addition, the instructor can cue up appropriate video tapes right into the presentation. High-level classrooms will have computers on each student’s desktop and connection to the Internet. This allows access to the vast resources already digitized by the Army. Technical support centers, located throughout the Army, will store technical manuals, field manuals, Army regulations, programs of instruction and many other resources to allow not only the instructor, but the student to access the latest updated information.
The highest levels of Classroom XXI will incorporate two-way audio/video instruction. This allows a Quartermaster instructor at Fort Lee, with the aid of a facilitator at the receiving unit, to instruct a class that also includes a corps support command, division support command or a US Army Reserve unit. Students arriving for the Basic and Advanced and Noncommissioned Officer Courses, Basic Officer Course, Combined Logistics Officer Course, and Warrant Officer Basic and Advanced Courses will see this technology phased in, starting in June 1996. All of these improvements are designed to give the Quartermaster soldier an edge on the battlefield by increasing the quality and consistency of instruction and by making the latest training information available to every Quartermaster soldier, as well as supervisors and soldiers from other branches.
Joint Mortuary Affairs NCO Course
The Mortuary Affairs Center is developing a Joint Mortuary Affairs NCO Course for fielding in March 1997. This course is designed to provide NCOs with the education to work at higher-level staff positions in mortuary affairs. This two-week course for NCOs in all services will closely parallel the Mortuary Affairs Officer Course.
Mortuary Affairs Officer Course
The Mortuary Affairs Officer Course will be offered 15-26 April and 21 October -1 November 1996. This course is specifically designed for officers working in mortuary affairs or anticipating an assignment in this field. It covers duties from platoon leader through assignments in various joint staffs. It is an excellent course for staff action officers involved in the planning for mortuary affairs. Recent experiences in Haiti, Somalia and Bosnia have shown there is a real need for mortuary affairs staff planners. The two-week course awards the additional skill identifier 4V.
Division Redesign
Division Redesign is a concept to develop a division that will take the Army into the 21st Century. The US Army Combined Arms Support Command (USACASCOM) is responsible for developing the concept of support to include the logistics support structure. The redesign focuses on the consolidation of combat service support assets (personnel and equipment) of the Mechanized, Armored and Aviation brigades into the division support command (DISCOM). The concept of support allows one day of supply within the division and a heavy reliance of throughput from corps. The DISCOM can remain as mobile as the division it is supporting. In order for this concept to work, the enabling technologies must be in place. Battlefield distribution and velocity management technologies are mature, and the enabling technologies for echelons above division are fully resourced to meet requirements.
The test bed for this Division Redesign is Task Force XXI, which is the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Hood, TX. The 4th Infantry Division will outfit and test this concept in various stages over the next two years. Currently, USACASCOM is ensuring that adequate Quartermaster personnel and equipment are identified to support the force in the 21st Century.
Hot Refueling Training
The Petroleum and Water Department is working on several initiatives to provide additional hot aircraft refueling training to the military occupational specialty 77F (Petroleum Supply Specialist) course. Currently, only cold aircraft refueling training is provided. Starting in April 1996, new petroleum soldiers will receive an additional 4 hours of training in basic hot refueling operations and 11 hours of training on the HEMTT Tactical Aircraft Refueling System (HTARS). The USAQMC&S also is exploring ways to overcome the costs and the safety and environmental risks associated with actual hot refueling training using live aircraft and fuel. One option is to modify some of the existing airframes in the training facility to simulate real world conditions. Submit recommendations from the field to CPT Vince A. Morikawa, Chief, Basic Petroleum Logistics Division, at DSN 687-2706.
Glass Pipeline Back in Operation
The Petroleum and Water Department’s famous "Glass Pipeline" will be back in operation by early Spring 1996. A department-wide effort completely overhauled the glass pipeline before reinstallation in the department’s new building. The glass pipeline is a large-scale working model of a multiproduct petroleum pipeline that includes pumps, storage tanks, valves and lights. The system uses a combination of clear and colored water to simulate different petroleum products being shipped though a multiproduct petroleum pipeline into and out of petroleum storage terminals. The colored water enables the students to see how the products and their interfaces are managed to reduce commingling and contamination.
Operational Rations
The Joint Services Operational Rations Forum (JSORF) met 7-8 Feb 96 at Fort Lee, VA. The JSORF meets annually to review operational rations and determine changes during the next procurement cycle. Six of the following new entrees will be selected with the seventh as an alternate: beef teriyaki, salsa chicken, spicy oriental chicken, meat loaf with gravy, beef enchiladas, black bean and rice burrito, and pasta with vegetables in Alfredo sauce. This will bring the number of menus to 24 in 2 boxes (A box and B box). Pork with rice in barbecue sauce and tuna and noodles will be removed. A special meeting will be held to revise the Unitized Group Ration (UGR)-Heat and Serve and UGR-B menus. Feedback from the field has been sparse.
Quartermaster Museum Renovation
From 29 January into April 1996, the US Army Quartermaster Museum, Fort Lee, VA, was closed to the public during the installation of a pre-action, dry pipe, fire suppression system. This much-needed system upgrade provides better protection of Quartermaster heritage on exhibit at the museum. A new ceiling was also installed as part of the gallery upgrade.
The museum staff continues redesign of the museum’s main exhibits in order to provide a more comprehensive telling of the Quartermaster story. This redesign, along with construction scheduled to begin this year, are part of the overall museum expansion plans that currently call for a 3,400-square foot addition to house a Petroleum and Water Gallery. Future additions are being planned to accommodate an historical research center as well as more exhibit space. All funds for the expansion are being raised by the nonprofit Army Quartermaster Foundation.
Important Videos on Small Arms
Especially important to training Quartermasters in the Reserve Component, the Logistics Training Department now has completed two television videotapes (TVTs) on the organizational maintenance of small arms. These TVTs cover cycle of function, troubleshooting, malfunctions, and a step-by-step disassembly of five weapon systems. Part I (TVT 10-109 PIN 71041 DA) is a 40-minute video on these three weapons: MK-19 40-millimeter (mm) machine gun, 9mm pistol and the M249 Squad Automatic Weapon (SAW). Part II (TVT 10-111 PIN 71059 DA) is a 22-minute video on these two weapons: M16A2 Rifle and the M60 Machine Gun. Check Audiovisual Support Centers for these videotapes. The USAQMC&S also plans a Part III videotape for the M2 50-caliber Machine Gun.