JB MDL hosts D.C. Guard annual training Published Aug. 7, 2015 By Army Staff Sgt. Robert W. Mitchell District of Columbia Public Affairs Detachment JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Soldiers from the District of Columbia Army National Guard honed in on their professional warfighting skills during the 2015 Annual Training exercise held at a training encampment site here. Soldiers participated in squad-size tactical movements through simulated desert-like terrain, served hundreds of Soldiers using rapid mobile kitchen trucks during the two-week exercise and some learned how to capture and convey the Army's story as Unit Public Affairs Representatives. For those Soldiers providing food services and support, the exercise provided an opportunity to gain valuable experience outside the confines of the dining facility at the DC Armory. "Our team is getting a lot of field experience here," said Army Staff Sgt. Shevonia Dawkins, 273rd Military Police Company NCOIC. "We usually work in the DFAC and are not exposed to this type of real-world training." The exercise, Dawkins said, gave her Soldiers the chance to work with special equipment in a field setting. Her team employed mobile kitchen trucks and sanitizing stations to serve more than 500 Soldiers who participated in the annual training exercise. One of the several meals prepared by her team included southern style fried chicken wings, peas and carrots with rice, garden salad, fruit juices, sodas and assorted desserts. During that meal, her team served more than 250 Soldiers in about 60 minutes, close to setting a new record, said Dawkins. Private 1st Class Gardella Brown, a D.C. native who has been in the DCNG for about four months, welcomed the high tempo training. She said she believes it will make her a better Soldier. "I want to excel at everything I do," Brown said. "I can do that right here Some soldiers were also selected to work as public affairs liaisons for their units and learned the value of information gathering and basic photography. "I think it was exciting learning something I had never learned before," said one Army Specialist with the 547th Transportation Company. Altogether, six Soldiers learned basic interviewing techniques skills) and basic photographic skills in a basic class taught by Army Staff Sgt. Natalie Hedrick, DCNG's 715th Public Affairs Detachment print chief. "UPARs are an asset to public affairs. They are valuable to expanding unit coverage," said Hedrick. Army Spc. Kevin Valentine, also with the 547th Transportation Company was enthused about the opportunity to serve as his unit's UPAR during the annual training exercise. Being able to capture images and tell the stories of his fellow Soldiers is more than enough motivation to be a UPAR, according to Valentine. "My favorite story involves Army Private 1st Class John Hemsley, a 547th Transportation Company Soldier," Valentine explained. "during this annual training he was made convoy commander. He was calm, cool and collected and made great command decisions," he said. Valentine said he was proud to see that and what especially ecstatic to be in a position to capture that moment of one Soldier's professional development.