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NJ CASA visits JB MDL Soldiers

  • Published
  • By Maj. Stephan Messenger
  • 72nd Field Artillery Brigade Plans Officer
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  On his latest visit to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, Robert J. Maguire, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army, found himself behind a .50 caliber machine gun warding off enemy advances after exiting the Army's latest mine-resistant ambush protected all terrain vehicle.

His visit to Oct. 12 was oriented around the mobilization mission of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, particularly the National Guard and Reserve Soldier experience. Viewing the current training the 72nd Field Artillery Brigade, 174th Infantry Brigade and Army Support Activity Dix operate was only part of the CASA's mission. Joint base leadership was on hand to discuss current and future initiatives of the eMTC Dix task force.

Civilian Aides for the Secretary of the Army are business and community leaders - state ambassadors selected by the Secretary to advise and support Army leaders across the country. Each CASA is proactively involved in the community he or she supports and links the Army Reserve's initiatives to neighboring business and civic initiatives.

Additionally, he or she provides important feedback on public attitudes and concerns to the local Army leadership in order to help strengthen military-community partnerships.

The visit began with a broad capabilities briefing discussing mobilization roles and responsibilities tracking servicemember progress from unit notification of deployment to servicemember demobilization after retuning stateside upon mission complete.

Maguire was particularly concerned about recruiting and medical care of Soldiers and family members and how eMTC Dix is working to provide continued care to servicemembers in the community.

"I was impressed by the scope of knowledge the CASA brought with him about the Army, particularly us here," commented Sgt. 1st Class Mike Timmons, 72nd FA Bde. Operations Sergeant, at the conclusion of the brief.

Following the briefing, the team opted for a hands-on approach. Maguire found himself inside an M-ATV learning about the latest training objectives and increased survivability offered by the current fielding of these armored vehicles for Afghanistan. The ride culminated at the New Jersey National Guard's Joint Training & Training Development Center, where Maguire tried his hand at the Call for Fire Trainer engaging simulated targets using the lightweight laser designated range finder.

"It was great to see the CASA really get in there on the different weapon systems," explained Sgt. 1st Class Jason Henry, 72nd FA Bde. Operations Sergeant.

Maguire also observed the Engagement Skills Trainer 2000 and the Virtual Skills Trainer - all designed to provide realistic and tough weapons engagement training. The ambassador concluded his visit with a demonstration of the MRAP rollover training simulator and lunch with the eMTC leaders at Pudgy's.

"I'm looking forward to sharing all we discussed today two weeks from now when I'm in Washington, D.C," Maguire assured his escorts. "I hope to visit again soon."