Low-density MOS Training

By Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes | 172nd Public Affairs Detachment | March 5, 2017

U.S. Army Pvt. 2nd Class Zachary Bigue (left), Pvt. 1st Class Joshua Kelly, and Spc. Nathan Poro (right), cooks with the Vermont National Guard, review how assemble a Mobile Burner Unit at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. The Soldiers spent the weekend reviewing the job skills imperative to their specific military occupational specialties. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army food service technicians with the Vermont National Guard re-load the vehicle during a class on mobile kitchen units at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. This was part of low-density military occupational specialty training in which Soldiers refreshed their job skills. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army mechanics with the Vermont National Guard refresh their skills during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. The Soldiers rotated through various stations designed to test many different required skills. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Mikayla Morse, mechanic assigned to Echo Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, practices her skills during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. This was an opportunity for the mechanics throughout the Vermont National Guard to come together and enhance their individual knowledge and readiness. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Mikayla Morse, mechanic, assigned to Echo Company, 186th Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard practices her skills during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. Mechanics throughout the Vermont National Guard came together for the drill weekend to refresh and enhance their knowledge and Soldier readiness. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army medics with the Vermont National Guard practice assessment skills during required annual recertification at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. This low-density military occupational specialty training took place for various military occupational specialties in an effort to increase individual knowledge and capabilities. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Brett Johnson (left) and Spc. Julian Young, medics assigned to Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, 172nd Cavalry Regiment, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, practice their assessment skills during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. The medics are required to renew their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification every two years for their MOS. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Soldiers who specialize in military intelligence give a briefing during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. The briefing was an assessment of the skills learned throughout the drill weekend. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Nathan Poro (left), Pvt. 2nd Class Zachary Bigue and Pvt. 1st Class Joshua Kelly (right), cooks with the Vermont National Guard, review how use a Mobile Burner Unit at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. The Soldiers spent the weekend reviewing the job skills imperative to their specific military occupational specialties. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Marisa Gomez, a cook with Golf Company, 186 Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, works on a Mobile Burner Unit at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. This is a job specific to food services that allows them to do their job efficiently and safely.(U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Spc. Marisa Gomez, a cook with Golf Company, 186 Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain), Vermont National Guard, learns how to use a Mobile Burner Unit used to cook in the field at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. This training was part of low-density military occupational specialty training in which Soldiers had time to enhance their job skills. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Soldiers with the Vermont National Guard listen to classroom instructions for satellite systems at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. This was part of a low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training in which many members of the Vermont National Guard are taking the time to refresh skills in their MOS. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army medics with the Vermont National Guard attend a medical symposium at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. The briefing was the start of the drill weekend where each Soldier had to go through a mandatory yearly certification of medical skills. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army food service technicians with the Vermont National Guard gather together for a class on mobile kitchen units at Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, Vt., March 5, 2017. The class was part of low-density military occupational specialty training aimed to enhance individual soldier job skills. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 4 Mike Laramee (left), defense movement coordinator, instructs Staff Sgt. Scott Bumps, movement NCO, both with Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, during low-density military occupational specialty (MOS) training at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. The training is an annual requirement for movement officers and includes classroom instruction and a written test. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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U.S. Army Master Sgt. Wayne Massey, Joint Force Headquarters, Vermont National Guard, gives a briefing about satellite systems at Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vt., March 4, 2017. The briefing was part of low-density military occupational specialty training intended to increase the skills and knowledge of the Soldiers and in turn the capabilities of all units. (U.S. Army National Guard Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes) (Photo by Staff Sgt. Ashley Hayes)

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Approximately 100 medics from the guard were present for the training weekend. This training was especially important because medics are required to renew their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification every two years, among other certifications.

Staff Sgt. Scott Sprano, medical operations supply NCO for the Medical Detachment, Garrison Support Command, Vermont National Guard explained the purpose of the training for the medics and why training like this is important.

“The purpose of the training is for us to bring the Vermont 68W’s [medics] together and give them their 24 annual certification credits,” said Sprano. “Without this training it would be a lot harder for them to get the remaining 24 hours that they need to maintain and recertify themselves for the NREMT [National Registry of Emergency Medical Technicians].”

One highlight of the training was utilizing the nurses and physician assistants within the guard to teach the classes, instead of outsourcing, like they have done during previous years. This gives a different perspective for those trying to develop their skills and allows a sense of trust in leadership, said Sprano.

Sprano said the medics are already comfortable and confident in their leadership, so instead of bringing in an unfamiliar faces, they know they are going to be taught information that is relevant to their job and situations they may experience.

‘They are teaching more on an Army medic level,” said Sprano.

The cooks with the guard also came together for the weekend to focus on their MOS skills. This was an opportunity for them to refresh their knowledge and to learn from each other.

“We have a wide range of knowledge,” said Sgt. First Class Laurance McGraw, senior food operations sergeant with Delta Company, 186 Brigade Support Battalion, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN), Vermont National Guard.

Soldiers spent some time in the classroom on Saturday to learn about sanitation, paperwork and the Army food management information system (AFNIS). Sunday was dedicated to hands-on training. This included assembling burner units and learning how to operate a mobile kitchen unit. The mobile kitchen units allow for expedient food distribution, but limits what type of food can be served, said McGraw. McGraw also shared why low-density training is important for the food service MOS.

“It increases readiness for cooks because it gets us ready for inspection,” said McGraw. “The main goal of a cook is to fill up other Soldier’s bellies’ so they can go out and complete their mission and [to do] their job well.”

Soldiers with military intelligence jobs also took time during the weekend to enhance their job skills. They gathered together from across the Brigade to take the opportunity to work on their specific MOS tasks that they don’t always have time to do during drill.

“The purpose is to provide them with level one analyst skills in the military decision making process (MDMP) as it pertains to intelligence war fighting functions,” said Captain Tyson Rysewyk, brigade assistant intelligence officer, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (MTN), Vermont National Guard.

Soldiers were able to spend some time focusing on mission analysis and intelligence preparation of the battlefield. The day started with Power Point presentations and instruction on how to develop products. They then conducted a practical exercise and presented their findings to leadership.

Rysewyk expressed why the training was important for the enlisted Soldiers.

“It’s invaluable for us,” said Rysewyk. “You have to have some time to practice these skills. Training like this is essential for morale and retention of our intelligence soldiers.”