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NATIONAL DEFENSE TRANSPORTATION ASSOCIATION MILITARY UNIT OF THE YEAR AWARD (2012)

Name of Award: NDTA Military Unit Award

Category of Competition: Active Duty Army

Unit Designation: 97th Transportation Company (Heavy Boat),

10th Transportation Battalion (Terminal)

Location: Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA

UIC: WCL8AA

MTOE Number: 55829RFC01

Mailing Address: Building 854-B Monroe Avenue Fort Eustis, VA 23604

POC Commercial Phone Number: (757) 878-2500 / (757) 532-2934

POC Email: miles.d.miller.mil@mail.mil

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Unit Mission/General Information Page 1

Vision Statement Page 2

Unit Lineage and Honors Page 2

2012 Operations and Mission Accomplishments Page 4

Operational Readiness Page 9

Command Maintenance Page 9

Command Supply Discipline Page 11

Training Page 12

Safety Page 14

Community Service/Family Readiness Page 16

Chain of Command Endorsements Attached

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UNIT MISSION STATEMENT

Mission (Doctrinal): to conduct waterborne transportation of personnel, cargo, and equipment during intra-theater lift, water terminal, waterborne tactical and Joint amphibious, riverine or Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore (JLOTS) operations. Our mission as Army Logisticians is to support and sustain our Task Force through each of the six tactical functions of logistics (man, arm, fuel, fix, move, and sustain Soldiers and their systems). We remain agile and dependable-ready to deploy locally or globally to support Unified Land Operations (ULO).

UNIT INFORMATION (GENERAL)

The 97th Transportation Company is the Army’s only Active Duty Heavy Boat Company, and utilizes a fleet of seven Landing CraftUtility (LCU) 2000 series (Runnymede Class) vessels to transport cargo from fixed-port to fixed-port facilities worldwide. The vessels transport cargo from ships at sea onto the shore during LOTS operations. While the LCU 2000 has the same range as it’s the Besson Class Logistics Support Vessel (LSV). While it does have a 'blue water' capability, it is a much more weather-dependent vessel, and is therefore used more for coastal and riverine operations. The LCU is employed for the movement of containers and general or vehicular cargo and is suitable for unit deployment and relocation. It has a bow ramp for roll-on/roll-off cargo, and a bow thruster to assist in beaching and beach extraction. Because of its shallow draft, the LCU 2000 can carry cargo from deep draft ships to shore ports or areas too shallow for larger ships and, as such, offers the United States Army a significant In-Stream Discharge and LOTS operational capability. The LCU 2000 is classed for full ocean service and one-man engine room operations and is built to U.S. Coast Guard standards. The vessel can sustain a crew of 2 Warrant Officers and 11 enlisted personnel for up to 18 days, and 10,000 nautical miles.

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UNIT VISION STATEMENT

Vision: this organization is a winning team; a cohesive band of competent, disciplined, and motivated logisticians who are tactically and technically proficient and fully embrace their role in the Profession of Arms. We inspire a climate that fosters cohesion, common purpose among all teammates, and inspiring excellence through empowerment. Ultimately, we aim to instill pride and solidarity so that we execute the mission because we “want to” and not because we “have to”. As an organization, the Army Values, combined with the below listed company values, are the basis for everything we do: (1) we get the mission done right, (2) we are tactically and technically proficient, (3) we care for our Soldiers and Families with a passion and (4) we are the best Company in the Brigade!

UNIT LINEAGE AND HONORS

The 97th Transportation Company was constituted 13 March 1942 in the Army of the United States as Company A, 258th Quartermaster Battalion. It was activated 15 April 1942 at Fort Custer, Michigan then reorganized and redesignated 16 June 1942 as Company A, 258th Quartermaster Service Battalion. It was later converted, reorganized, and redesignated 25 October 1943 as the 151st Port Company before deactivating 31 May 1946 in Japan. The unit was again redesignated 5 December 1946 as the 97th Transportation Corps Port Company then activated 31 December 1946 in the Philippines as a unit in the Philippine Scouts. It was again redesignated 31 July 1947 as the 97th Transportation Port Company, and remained a unit in the Philippine Scouts. It was deactivated once again 3 June 1949 in Guam, and withdrawn from the Philippine Scouts. During World War II, the unit was activated 3 December 1949 in Germany and later allotted 1 March 1952 to the Regular Army, where it was reorganized and redesignated 5 June 1953 as the 97th Transportation Company.The unit deactivated once more 15 October 1962 in France, and was finally reactivated 28 March 1963 at Fort Eustis, Virginia, where it remains headquartered to this day.

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UNIT LINEAGE AND HONORS (CONTINUED)

CAMPAIGN PARTICIPATION CREDIT:World War II LeyteLuzon

VietnamDefenseCounteroffensiveCounteroffensive, Phase IICounteroffensive, Phase IIITet CounteroffensiveCounteroffensive, Phase IVCounteroffensive, Phase VCounteroffensive, Phase VITet 69/CounteroffensiveSummer-Fall 1969Winter-Spring 1970Sanctuary CounteroffensiveCounteroffensive, Phase VIIConsolidation IConsolidation II

DECORATIONS:Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1965-1966Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1966-1967Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered VIETNAM 1967-1968Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army), Streamer embroidered SOUTHWEST ASIA 2009-2010Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Streamer embroidered 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945 day.

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Southwest AsiaLiberation and Defense of KuwaitCease-Fire

War on TerrorismCampaigns to be determined

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2012 OPERATIONS AND MISSION ACCOMPLISHMENTS

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During the calendar year 2012, 97th TC provided outstanding operational support to a vast array of customers via both pier side and underway missions. The unit completed over (250) real-world operations, sailing 48,258 nautical miles, transporting 4,511 short tons of cargo during 711 days underway in support of various Combatant Commands (COCOMs), Joint, Interagency, Intergovernmental and Multinational (JIIM) agencies, the United States Army Transportation School (USATS) and fellow units within the battalion and brigade. The unit distinguished itself by providing both a training and cargo movement platform to such high profile training and operational events as Operation Poseidon Chaos (in support of 3rd Infantry Division), Operation Trade Winds 2012 (in support of ARSOUTH), Operation Keen Sword (in support of USARPAC), Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore 2012 (in support of USTRANSCOM), as well as to multiple training exercises in support of the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Security Response Team, U.S. Navy Special Warfare Group, the International Maritime Fire Fighter’s Association, the Marine Incident Response Team among others. In addition to providing logistics support to those agencies listed above, the unit also partook in showcasing Army watercraft by presenting static displays and hosting literally thousands of civilians and military personnel as part of public events along the U.S. East Coast during the War of 1812 Memorial OPSAIL 2012 (01-12 JUN 2012, Yorktown, VA), the City of Philadelphia 4th of July Celebration at Penn’s Landing (01-05 JUL 2012, Philadelphia, PA), the United States Military Academy Combined Arms Tailgate (10-15 SEP 2012, West Point, NY), the Military District of Washington Command Team Tour (03-06 DEC 2012, Washington, D.C.) and during countless Distinguished Visitor Tours at both home-station and deployed ports. Because of their specific military occupational specialty (MOS), the Soldier-Mariners of the unit continually supported fellow watercraft units within the battalion and provided mission support to a variety of missions on a variety of watercraft platforms to include the Logistics Support Vessel (LSV) and both the Small and Large Tug Boats, and augmented

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personnel to the LSV-6 (United States Army Vessel “James A. Loux”) during their deployment to Kuwait Naval Base in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (2012-2013). Additionally, the unit postured itself to rapidly deploy in support of Superstorm Sandy relief efforts by readying two LCUs and crews in less than 12 hours to be on-call in support of NORTHCOM relief efforts—while the call never came, the unit was ready to support the mission however and wherever needed. The Soldier-Mariners of the 97th TC further distinguished themselves throughout the year by lending support to various community outreach projects that led to the battalion receiving an installation community outreach award in early 2013. Additionally, the unit competed in, and won, numerous battalion and installation-level sporting events and Family Readiness Group activities, to include one Soldier winning the Installation Combatives Tournament for the 2nd straight year in his weight class, multiple Soldiers competing in battalion and brigade Noncommissioned Officer of the month/quarter competitions, placed first overall in XVIII Airborne Corps and seventh overall in the FORSCOM Supply Excellence Awards (SEA) competition, received green with ‘commendable’ ratings across all six inspected areas during the XVIII Airborne Corps Inspector General Organizational Readiness Assessment (ORA), was hand-selected by battalion leadership to be featured in the Center for Army Professional Excellence Customs and Courtesies video which was filmed in early 2013 (video may be viewed at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wCvxr3T8nzk) and awarded six Meritorious Service Medals, seven Army Commendation Medals, (42) Army Achievement Medals and (95) Good Conduct Medals to highly deserving Soldiers. Furthermore, the unit had five Soldiers that were awarded ‘Distinguished Honor Graduate’ of their respective primary military education/Noncommissioned Officer education system courses. In addition to these accomplishments, the unit executed multiple company collective training exercises along with mandatory individual and unit-level training, accomplished hundreds of details and daily taskings, rigorously enforced command programs, all while preparing for and/or facilitating the completion of triennial On-Condition Cyclic Maintenance for four vessels. These accomplishments, when combined with the preceding operational highlights, clearly demonstrate the 97th TC’s commitment to excellence, unit pride and mission accomplishments across all aspects of military service.

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Operation Poseidon Chaos (10-11 APR 2012) The LCU 2011 (United States Army Vessel “Chickahominy”) provided direct waterborne transportation support to 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Infantry Division by transporting personnel and vehicles from the Port of Savannah, GA to Jacksonville, FL to facilitate 703rd’s Mission Readiness Exercise. In doing so, the unit partnered Army watercraft with maneuver units to showcase capability as well as maximize collective training benefit for both units.(Read More: http://www.jble.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123299264 )

U.S. Army Southern Command (ARSOUTH) Rotation 2012 (01 JAN-31 DEC 2012) Since 1999, 97th TC has provided two LCUs and crews to ARSOUTH on a perpetual basisto provide a permanent sealift capability ISO Unified Land Operations, support CJCSExercises, provide HADR immediate response capability and to support Joint InteragencyTask Force South Counter Drug Operations. During 2012 the unit provided four vessels tosupport the requirement and participate in a variety of missions, logging over 17,000 nauticalmiles sailed and transporting 1,256 short tons of cargo and equipment throughout theARSOUTH area of responsibility. (Read More: http://www.caribbeannewsnow.com/headlineUS-military-to-arrive-in-Barbados-for-Exercise-Tradewinds-2012-11208.html)

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Operation Keen Sword 2013 (23 OCT-27 NOV 2012) 97th TC, IPW Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces (JGSDF) and USARPAC/U.S. Navy, provided (1) x LCU crew to support transportation of personnel and equipment between Sasebo and Yokohama Japan ISO OPERATION KEEN SWORD 2013 from 23OCT-27NOV12. This exercise developed watercraft capability between USARPAC and the JGSDF, utilized APS-4 prepositioned watercraft, and enhanced the ability of U.S. Army Soldier-Mariners to support joint/bilateral operations during waterborne expeditionary operations. (Read More at: http://www.army.mil/article/91704)

U.S. Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM) Joint Logistics Over-the-Shore Exercise (02 JUL-27 AUG 2012) 97th TC provided (2) x LCUs with assigned crews to conduct waterborne transportation of cargo and personnel ISO JLOTS 2012 exercise from 02JUL12 to 27AUG12. During the exercise the LCUs engaged in multiple iterations of Ship-to-Shore and Shore-to-Ship cargo transport that improved the overall expeditionary capability of the 7 th Sustainment Brigade.(Read More at: http://www.jble.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123315673 )

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United States Military Academy (USMA) Combined Arms Tailgate (10-15 SEP 2012)

97th TC provided (1) x LCU plus crew to support, demonstrate and educate USMA’s Cadet Corps about the unique capabilities of the Army’s Transportation Corps. Operational Highlights include providing real-world waterborne transportation support to elements of 59th Ordinance Brigade (Fort Lee, VA), and conducting vessel tours for over 200 Cadets and Distinguished Visitors (DV), to include BG Martin (USMA Commandant) and LTG Huntoon (USMA Superintendent).

In addition to this vessel tour, the unit continually hosted DVs to include General Officers, Senior Executive Service personnel, various JIIM Senior Leaders and even the Sergeant Major of the Army, SMA Chandler (05 JUN 2012, Read more at: http://www.jble.af.mil/news/story.asp?id=123304994 ) and the TRADOC Commanding General, GEN Cone (01 FEB 2012, Read more at: http://www.army.mil/article/72910).

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OPERATIONAL READINESS

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During the calendar year 2012, 97th TC provided exemplary and first-class logistics support to each of its customers, establishing itself as the unit within the battalion and brigade for other units to emulate. The unit maintained an impressive 90% or above operational readiness rating for all assigned ground equipment and weapons throughout the year, while simultaneously ensuring all seven vessels maintained the same. Despite an extremely high OPTEMPO, the unit maintained a 85% or above trained/ready rate for the ‘big four’ reportable categories of the Digital Training Management System (DTMS): APFT, Weapons Qualification, Suicide Prevention (99% or above at all times), Global Assessment Tool (99% or above at all times) through effective training management. Command focus on physical and medical readiness helped raise the unit’s APFT average from 211 to 246 while decreasing the number of personnel enrolled in AWCP/Special Populations PT program by 50% in a four month period and maintaining a 10% or less medically non-deployable population within the unit in accordance with Army standards.

COMMAND MAINTENANCE

97th TC faced the arduous task of maintaining over 300 individual and crew-served weapons, four wheeled vehicles, multiple generators and trailers, seven vessels and their multiple sub-systems, as well as scores of additional unit assigned equipment requiring monthly/quarterly/annual services, inspections and/or calibrations. The unit Vessel Support Office (VSO)/Maintenance section worked tirelessly to ensure the following tasks were complete on-time and to standard, often exercising in-house general sustainment repairs:

7 vessels with a total of 2000 quarterly and above services 256 weapons with a total of 1280 quarterly and above services159 pro mask with a total of 795 quarterly and above services4 vehicles with a total of 20 quarterly and above services4 generators with a total of 20 quarterly and above services

Total services completed: 4115

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COMMAND MAINTENANCE (CONTINUED)

Additionally, because of the unit’s unique equipment, the following maintenance requirements were completed:

64 items enrolled in Army Oil Analysis Program 149 Items enrolled in Test, Measurement and Diagnostic Equipment (TMDE) Transferred over 428,245 gallons of marine-grade diesel fuel and processed 3,175 gallons of oil without spillage or environmental incident 4 vessels prepared and completed triennial On-Condition Cyclic Maintenance (OCCM)

In addition to what is reflected above, each of the vessel crews worked tirelessly and diligently to complete both field and sustainment level repairs to their vessels that saved the Government tens of thousands of dollars in contracted repairs. The four vessels deployed throughout the year in support of ARSOUTH successfully managed a Voyage Card budget of nearly $250,000 with zero incidents of fraud, waste or abuse. The section’s Automated Logistics Specialists and Warrant Officers put in the long hours to transition vessel maintenance tracking from the current CM-98 program to the Standard Army Maintenance System-Enhanced (SAMS-E), a daunting task as part of Army Watercraft maintenance modernization. Additionally they repeatedly reviewed and validated that the unit property book equipment was reconciled between both the Property Book Unit Supply-Enhanced (PBUSE) and SAMS-E. Finally, the section completely revitalized and restarted a previously non-existent unit driver’s training program, contributed long hours and tireless work to prepare for multiple Staff Assisted Visits and ORA inspections, contracted and/or GPC-purchased over $122,000 of repairs and repair parts, requisitioned $181,695 of CL IX and ensured that 3199 lines of On-Board Spares List (457 lines per vessel) and Basic Issue Items were successfully requisitioned and distributed accordingly to fulfill equipment shortages aboard each vessel and across the ground fleet.

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COMMAND SUPPLY DISCIPLINE

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The 97th TC has excelled in supply management, distribution and accountability for many years, carefully and meticulously enforcing a high level of Command Supply discipline for a property book with a replacement value of over $100 million. In 2012, the unit reached the pinnacle of success by ranking number one in the XVIII Airborne Corps SEA inspection and receiving a green with ‘commendable’ rating during the XVIII Airborne Corps ORA in three inspected areas: supply, communications /CCI and CBRN. Focus areas for these inspections included, but were not limited to the following areas: unit Standard Operating Procedures, monthly reconciliations, sensitive items inventories, management of PBUSE, Government Purchase Cards (GPC), Hazardous Material (HAZMAT), Organizational Clothing and Individual Equipment (OCIE), equipment service packets, key control procedures, record of appointment orders, signature cards, certifications, regulations and property authorizations. As a result of rigorous attention to detail and through sheer determination and will, the unit supply section placed first overall in the XVIII Airborne Corps SEA competition, and seventh overall in the FORSCOM SEA competition. As a result of this accomplishment, two unit Supply personnel were awarded ARCOMs and the prestigious Honorable Order of Saint Martin medals for outstanding achievement with Quartermaster duties and responsibilities. Due to the outstanding management and execution of supply procedures, the 97 th TC greatly enhanced supply discipline via twelve sub hand receipts. The unit conducted one company change of command, fourteen vessel changes of responsibility, one supply section change of responsibility, one communications section change of responsibility, and one CBRN change of responsibility with zero losses or discrepancies. The unit also handled, stored, and processed over 25,000 rounds of CL V for all assigned weapons systems. Finally, unit supply personnel, through rigorous property book management and with stewardship and property accountability at the forefront of all they did, ensured there were no significant shortages or excessive amounts of all Classes of Supply within the unit. The unit purchased $13,464 worth of equipment through PBUSE and local vendors, requisitioned over $80,000 of supplies through GPC purchase, turned in $97,000 of excess equipment, laterally transferred $308,093 worth of CL II, IV and VII items from/to fellow units, and only initiated one Financial Liability Investigation of Property Loss (FLIPL) the entire year.

The Soldiers of the 97th TC masterfully balanced rigorous onboard duty proficiency task training requirements with Army Warrior Task and Sergeant’s Time Training (STT) programs throughout the year, and continued, through training and operational assignments to maintain a ‘T’ rating for three out of four METL tasks (‘Conduct Watercraft Operations’, ‘Establish and Sustain’ and ‘Deploy/Re-deploy’). The fourth METL task, ‘Protect the Force’, was emphasized throughout the course of the year in various forms and quarterly culminating training events that included situational training exercises, company level field training exercises (FTXs) and two battalion level FTXs across multiple geographic locations. Through effective training management and despite a high OPTEMPO, the unit focused on METL task training, Low Density/MOS-specific training and Leadership Professional Development throughout the year that resulted in significant improvements to the unit’s overall combat readiness and technical and tactical proficiency. As stated above, the unit partook in a total of three field training exercises throughout the year as part of quarterly culminating training events. In both February and April 2012 the unit participated in two battalion level field training exercises in the form of an Emergency Deployment Readiness Exercise (FEB 2012) and a deployment exercise (APR 2012) in which the unit provided watercraft transportation support to move cargo and equipment between multiple locations as well as established a unit tactical operations center (TOC) in a simulated austere environment to conduct simulated battle and logistics tracking training. In addition to unit-level training for both events, the unit partook in multiple individual and crew-served weapons training ranges that directly contributed to an overall improved tactical posture within the unit. In September the unit again deployed to the field for a three day company-level FTX to conduct a challenging and realistic collective training event that focused on the basic of Shoot, Move, Communicate and Combat Lifesaving in order to evaluate the unit’s combat readiness and ability to protect and defend itself while deployed in support of simulated or real-world operations. Paramount to the successful management and execution of unit training were the efforts of the unit Training and Operations Section. The section is charged with two very broad, but tremendously important tasks: the first, managing the unit Commander’s training programs and guidance and second, managing vessel operations in a manner that ensures we meet our

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TRAINING

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TRAINING

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real-world and doctrinal mission support requirement by effectively managing the LCU fleet. The Soldiers of the section completed their mission admirably and vastly improved the unit's Training/Operations Section to be recognized as one of the best in the Battalion and to receive a green with ‘commendable’ rating during XVIII Airborne Corps Inspector General ORA inspections. Furthermore, the section ensured the unit remained at or above 85% trained on all reportable mandatory annual training requirements at the battalion and brigade level, processed packets for over (30) Soldiers to attend required NCOES courses and successfully requisitioned and resourced training areas and training aids for over (25) STT events.

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SAFETY

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The exceptional adherence to and enforcement of the Army’s Safety Program by 97 th TC during 2012 is nothing short of exemplary, and set the conditions for the unit to be awarded both the 7th Sustainment Brigade (SB) Commander’s Safety award (1st Quarter, FY 2013) and the Army Safety Excellence Streamer (2nd QTR, FY 2013) for which the unit was the first to be awarded in the brigade. Throughout the year the unit had zero incidences of workplace casualties, fatalities, Class A/B/C accidents, environmental or HAZMAT-related issues or documented workplace safety violations, continually ensuring strict compliance with all appropriate Army/Government/Installation regulatory guidance as it pertains to equipment, personnel and environmental safety. This is truly a monumental achievement when considering the sheer volume of vessel operational taskings the unit executed on a daily basis in a variety of settings, global troop disbursement and the volume of additional regulatory guidance as set forth by Codes of Federal Regulation (CFRs), the Occupational Safety Hazard Administration (OSHA) and the United States Coast Guard (USCG) pertaining to maritime safety. The unit flawlessly balanced its doctrinal mission and support of waterborne logistic transportation requirements while emphasizing a high regard for personal and unit safety, and strived for excellence with respect to Army Safety Program guidance as outlined in AR 385-10, Army Safety Program, accomplishing the following quantifiable achievements:  Despite high operational tempo and through effective personnel, time, resource and training management, the unit achieved a 90% completion rate for online Basic/Leader’s Environmental Management Awareness Courses (BEMA/LEMA), and over 80% completion of online Composite Risk Management course, which ensured the unit remained on-track to qualify for the Army Safety Excellence Streamer by the end of the 2nd Quarter, FY 2013.  Again emphasizing the high importance of both on and off-duty safety, the unit ensured 100% of assigned personnel received quarterly safety stand down training focused on public, family, off-duty, recreation and seasonal safety training, as well as 100% completion of Army-wide Suicide Safety Stand Down (SEP 2012). 

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SAFETY

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  Vessel Masters deployed to Port Canaveral, FL in support of United States Army SOUTHCOM (ARSOUTH) rotation ensured key crewmember completion of the Hazardous Materials Awareness Course that qualified vessels to become active members of the Clean Space Coast Cooperative in Cape Canaveral, FL, a local pollution prevention program that ensures LCUs assigned to ARSOUTH continuously have access to over 1000 feet of marine grade hazardous containment boom that enables vessels to conduct fuel/oil transfers and sludging operations with maximum safety in place at no additional cost to the Army.   Vessel Masters of all assigned vessels continue to execute weekly Tests, Drills, and Inspections (TDIs) that focus on maximizing crew proficiency with fire fighting, sinking, flooding, damage control, severe weather, man overboard, and HAZMAT incident response as directed by AR 56-9, Watercraft, AR 385-10, OSHA guidelines, and all applicable CFRs. The result of such vigilance has ensured zero incidences of maritime accident or environmental incident throughout the quarter.

The safety of our Soldiers and equipment can never be understated, along with an unwavering commitment to environmental protection and conservancy in all that we do. As is evidenced by the preceding, the unit places high emphasis on personal (on and off-duty) and workplace safety.

97th TC Commander and 1SG receive the 7th SB Commander’s Safety Award (1st QTR, FY 13)

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COMMUNITY SERVICE/FAMILY READINESS

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  It cannot be overstated that the Army owes a great debt of gratitude to the local communities in which it operates and to the Families that sacrifice so much to support their Soldiers who in turn answer the nation’s call to duty. The chain of command and Soldiers of the 97th TC recognize this and do their best to support community outreach programs individually and collectively as well as ensuring that the unit’s Family Readiness Group (FRG) is fully established, supported and promoted. With respect to community service the unit hosted multiple Boy Scouts of America troops, local civilians, friends and Family members for vessel tours aboard the LCU at various engagements and locations throughout the year. The unit pulled together and raised over $3,000 in support of the 2012 Army Emergency Relief fund campaign, donated over (250) pounds of canned/non-perishable food items to the Virginia Peninsula food bank, participated in multiple Armed Forces Blood Drives, continued to support a nearly (20) year old recurring battalion/brigade community outreach program with the Achievable Dreams Academy in Newport News, VA, and supported the Fort Eustis Youth Services Center during multiple sporting and holiday events. Individually, Soldiers of the unit logged thousands of hours of volunteer time across a broad spectrum of community outreach programs to include local churches, youth sports leagues, local chapters of the Army Wounded Warrior program, hospitals, food banks, pet rescues and the American Breast Cancer Foundation. With respect to Family Readiness, the single greatest achievement for the unit in 2012 was the recreation of the unit FRG program which had been without solid leadership and direction for over a year previously. With renewed emphasis on the importance of Family and Soldier readiness to support the unit’s high OPTEMPO and frequent extended operations, the unit quickly established a highly functioning FRG program complete with website, monthly newsletter, fundraising and activities that resulted in its being one of the highest performing and most successful FRG programs within the brigade. Throughout the year the FRG leader strived for excellence with respect to developing and maintaining a robust and strong FRG program while readily and selflessly supporting other FRG programs within the brigade.

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  Furthermore, the unit FRG Leader herself volunteered hundreds of hours to community outreach programs through her roles as Chaplain and Secretary for the American Legion Post 368 Auxiliary and American Legion Riders Association, as well as being a Sunday School Teacher at Christ United Methodist Church in Newport News, VA. Additional quantifiable achievements of the unit FRG Leader and program, overall, include the following:

Hosted multiple ‘Spouse’s of Deployed Soldiers’ events at her home and in the local area Completed training and is a member of the Fort Eustis Care Team Planned and resourced unit-level deployment/re-deployment ceremonies for eight vessel crews deploying/redeploying in support of unit’s ARSOUTH rotation Volunteered and logged 115 hours of her personal time to unit FRG program over a six month period Spearheaded multiple unit fundraisers that raised over $500 in unit FRG funds Participated in and won prizes in two JBLE Installation-wide competitions that earned the unit $300 in gift certificates Won the Installation Volunteer of the Quarter award for 1st QTR, FY 2013 and received a Certificate of Achievement for the Installation Volunteer of the Year competition (2012)

97th TC Commander receives the JBLE Installation Volunteer of the Quarter award on behalf of the unit FRG Leader.