05/02/2013 -- Nearly 60 Marine Corps reservists handled more than $4 million in requisitions, redistributed more than 200 pieces of gear and moved more than 41,000 items from Afghanistan.
They also replaced broken or damaged equipment from amphibious assault vehicles returned from Afghanistan during their annual training here, April 13-27.
The goal of the training was to sharpen Marines’ military occupational specialty skills and cross train using the Global Combat Support System Marine Corps, a system that ensures proper logistical receipt, disbursement and tracking of equipment, according to Staff Sgt. Daniel R. Erdmann, senior enlisted advisor, LogTrain-2013.
The Marines were divided into two groups and spent one week in the classroom learning the GCSS-MC system and one week on the warehouse floor.
“Being able to obtain hands-on training in both areas is very beneficial,” Erdmann, who is assigned to Detachment 2, Supply Company (-), 4th Supply Battalion, 4th Marine Logistics Group, Albany, Ga., said. “The Marines saw how the two working parts are integrated together to complete the mission.”
However, equally important, the Marines provided critical equipment needed by warfighters in Afghanistan, Erdmann said.
Capt. Ryan Silverberg, officer-in-charge, LogTrain-2013, Detachment 1, Supply Company (-), 4th Battalion, 4th MLG, Washington, D.C., said the annual training is a premier opportunity for the Marines.
“This is not just training; our Marines are supporting the warfighters in Afghanistan,” he said. “This is also an opportunity to create camaraderie and espirit de corps among Marines taking part in annual training.”
The Marines came from Albany, Ga.; Washington, D.C.; Greenville, S.C.; Raleigh, N.C.; and Aurora, Colo., to work as one team and perform real time functions during this training, Erdmann said.
“Millions of dollars in inventory was received from Afghanistan and inventoried by these Marines,” Erdmann said. “There was also millions of dollars’ worth of purchases being accounted for.”
Staff Sgt. Trentice Shields, assistant warehouse chief, Marine Forces Reserve General Account, MCLB Albany, said the extra help was welcome in preparing for an upcoming inspection.
“With the additional manpower, I was able to get two weeks’ worth of work done in one week,” he said. “They came in motivated, eager to learn and ready to perform.”
For Lance Cpl. Maximilian A. Wagner, warehouseman, Det. 1, this is his first time participating in annual training here.
“It’s always good to work with active-duty Marines to learn your job better,” he said. “It gives me a sense of pride to be working side-by-side.”
“There is a lot of hands-on training,” Lance Cpl. Adam S. Perez, warehouseman, Det. 1, said. “There isn’t a warehouse in my unit, so this training is very important to help me remember my job.”