Wisconsin employers get first-hand look at Soldiers' training

By Sgt. Andy Poquette

March 29, 2010 - Nearly 30 employers from around Wisconsin gathered at Fort McCoy Saturday (March 27) to observe mobilization training for Soldiers from the 724th Engineer Battalion. Together with the Wisconsin Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve, these employers were able see firsthand what their employees do in the National Guard.

"I have such a greater degree of respect now for the qualifications of any of my staff who serve in the military," said Carol Holinka, warden of the Oxford Federal Correctional Institute. "After seeing everything involved in their training, I have such a better understanding of their tactical and training experience."

The employers' introduction to military life began with a flight to Fort McCoy via UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and a hearty welcome by the commander of the 724th Engineer Battalion, Lt. Col. Dave O'Donohue.

"First, I want to thank each of you for taking the time to participate in this event," O'Donahue said. "We have a tough mission, and your support allows our Soldiers to concentrate on the mission while they know that they don't have to worry about their job back home. Every day we are sending Soldiers outside the wire to keep the roads safe, and without 100 percent focus, these Soldiers can't do their job."

Employers witnessed a variety of events and operations, including a tour of the 724th Engineer Battalion's Forward Support Company (FSC) area of operations. Capt. Matthew Kelly, FSC commander, explained the company's capability to distribute supplies, recover damaged vehicles and provide maintenance support for the battalion. Before leaving, the employers had an opportunity to take pictures with their Soldiers and sit inside Mine Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) and recovery vehicles.

The party also watched how 724th Soldiers react when they encounter a possible Improvised Explosive Device (IED) during the battalion's route clearance training.

724th Command Sgt. Major Scott Genz said it was important for employers to see for themselves the training their employees take part in.

"As a traditional National Guard Soldier, I know how important it is to have the support of your civilian employer," Genz said. "It's a great thing for employers to see what Soldiers do so they can understand the mission. The training we go through now is much more realistic than it has been in the past. We have better equipment and more team-based training. It's important for employers to see that."

The day culminated with an employer/employee Meals Ready to Eat (MRE) luncheon at the training site Contingency Operating Location (COL) Freedom.

"This experience was a real eye-opener as to what Soldiers actually do during training," said Nate Smith, owner of Smith Sheet Rock and Construction in Pulaski, Wis. and employer of his brother, Pvt. Logan Smith. "After seeing everything they do, to deny employment of a Soldier because of their military duty means you lose out on all the great qualities and training that Soldier has."

Master Sgt. Gregory Wendt of Headquarters Company - a contractor sales manager at Menards - also enjoyed lunch with his employer Doug Stuart, an assistant general manager at Menards in St. Croix Falls, Wis.

"It's difficult to explain what you do to your employer, and because I work in intelligence, I can't talk about much of what I do," Wendt said. "But this experience allowed Doug to actually see what my unit does."

"This was a great experience," Stuart added. "Even though we will be losing Greg for a year, we know he will be coming back, and this really helped me understand everything he does as part of his training."

Nearly 400 Soldiers in the 724th Engineer Battalion mobilized in March in preparation for their upcoming tour of duty in Iraq. The affected Soldiers are part of the Headquarters Company in Chippewa Falls, Company A (Forward Support) in Hayward, the 273rd Engineer Company (Sapper) in Medford and 950th Engineer Company (Clearance) in Spooner and Superior. The mobilization, including time scheduled for additional training at Fort McCoy, is expected to last about one year. The Soldiers will spend about ten months of the year-long mobilization in Iraq.