Civil Engineers train in New Mexico Published June 20, 2008 By Tech. Sgt. Doug Hays GRISSOM AIR RESERVE BASE, Ind., -- Members of the 434th Civil Engineers Squadron know good training when they get it. They got that and the added bonus of helping Navajo families by constructing homes in Gallup, N.M. The training done as part of an innovative readiness program allows military members to use their skills to benefit others. In this case, they're helping the Southwest Indian Foundation. Military members have been making their way to Gallup since 1998 turning piles of wood and nails into modern homes. The homes are built in a warehouse and transported to a site for final set up. "With the hectic tempo of a unit training assembly, it's hard to get time slots where members can work uninterrupted within the engineer career fields," said Senior Master Sgt. Chuck Gill, 434th CES operations superintendent. "This is a rare opportunity for us to apply our diverse skills in a team effort." One hundred Grissom engineers have been working on the houses since late May. The last rotation will pack their tool boxes and head back to Grissom on July 20. They are working in a construction warehouse capable of holding three houses. By working on three separate structures in various stages of construction, the engineers have a valuable training scenario, he said. "It it really adds to the training, when a member can work on one structure and look over their shoulder to see how it will all fit together," Chief Master Sgt. Michael Bowden, 434th CES manager added. In addition, members from different career fields get the chance to work side by side helping each other accomplish common goals. "Team building and multi-skill training are benefits quickly realized during these types of deployments," Sergeant Gill said. "It's heartwarming to hear the pride in a young Airman's voice as he or she explains to another member how the plumbing works or why the breaker box is wired that way." Gallup is familiar territory for many of the Grissom reservists. The engineers deployed there in 2005 for similar training. "Without the military's help, we would be forced to hire more people and we don't have money to pay for that kind of manpower," said Joe Esparza, direct of the SWIF. "By coming here they get the training they need and we meet the needs of families in the Navajo community."
