Reservists help cadets “build” futures

by Staff Sgt. Matthew Burke
914th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

7/11/2014 - NIAGARA FALLS AIR RESERVE STATION, N.Y. -- Reservists from the 914th Civil Engineer Squadron traveled to the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colorado, in June for annual tour training.

During the first two weeks of June, they supported the academy's Field Engineering & Readiness Laboratory Program.

FERL is a nationally recognized program that provides a hands-on educational and construction experience. This year 62 cadets received a foundation for learning scientific theory and engineering design principles in more advanced courses of the civil and environmental engineering curriculum.

"As a squadron commander, there is no greater thrill than watching my troops showcase their skills," said Maj. Matthew S. Heinsler, 914th CES commander. "Mentoring the cadets provided our CE troops the opportunity to train future Air Force leaders and advance our mentorship techniques, which is especially beneficial for our new unit members."

Seventeen enlisted reservists along with active-duty and Air National Guard personnel, provided leadership and hands-on experience from specific civil engineer career fields to academy students.

The reservists put in more than 1,400 man hours of instruction and hands-on training in various Air Force specialty codes, including engineering assistants, heavy equipment operations, utilities, structures, electrical and power production.

"The FERL site is a laboratory just like any other college lab," said Senior Master Sgt. Michael Haag, senior air reserve technician in the 914th CES. "It allows for the cadets who are learning to be civil engineers to have hands-on experience in what they will be leading and supervising in the future."

The reservists showcased Niagara's best practices, mentored others, completed core tasks needed for upgrade training and provided a labor force for projects throughout the academy that needed to be accomplished.

The trainers provided functional expertise in their specialties and served as role models in an advisory capacity. During FERL, the cadets worked with experienced personnel on tasks such as concrete placement, roadway construction, surveying, heavy equipment operations, power production, welding, and wood-frame construction. These duties were selected to provide a broad exposure to the civil engineer career field.

The FERL program is mandatory for cadets majoring in civil engineering.

Among their jobs, the reservists worked with the cadets on two Hogan Homes, which are traditional Navajo homes designed as an eight-sided structure with the main entrance built facing east to greet each day's sunrise.

Once the homes are complete, they are declared surplus property. Through the Department of Defense's Defense Reutilization and Marketing Service, the Southwest Indian Foundation takes ownership and eventual possession of the Hogan Homes.

"Our unit members' smiles and overall emotion of the trip said it all," Heinsler said. "They came home happy, had a great sense of purpose and achieved a high level of satisfaction from their work."