Ohio Army Guard engineers wire buildings at Camp Ravenna

By Spc. Brian Johnson

Ohio Army National Guard

CAMP RAVENNA JOINT MILITARY TRAINING CENTER, Ohio - Soldiers from the Ohio Army National Guard’s 1194th Engineer Company are taking advantage of a need and turning it into a training opportunity by installing electrical fixtures in five buildings here. When the mission is complete, these buildings will have a variety of uses to include classrooms and offices at the training site.

But, before getting down to installing the fixtures, Army Staff Sgt. Martin Helms gave refresher training to the other electricians in the unit.

“This training is good because I am able to use one of the buildings to show the soldiers how to complete their work,” said Helms., who has 10 years experience as an electrician. “They can, in turn, go to an identical building and be able to put into practice what they just learned.”

Helms said that as the Soldiers worked to install the electrical wiring and fixtures, they had immediate resources available should they need assistance. They were able to look at what Helms had just installed, or Helms himself was on hand for any questions.

Army Pfc. Eric DeRemer said he  likes having Helms as a resource.

“(Staff) Sgt. Helms is full of knowledge,” said DeRemer. “He knows more than many electricians that I know. If we have any questions, he is right there to help us.”

For Army Pfc. Sarah Pastorius, the pace of the training is what appeals to her.

“In years past, we have been tasked to wire at a very quick pace because of the scope of the projects,” said Pastorius. “The training environment here lets us do everything at a slower pace. This helps us to ensure knowledge retention.”

The soldiers of the 1194th Eng. Co. will be working at Camp Ravenna throughout  July.