The Outlaws will be on ground in Panama for a month during BTH. They will have two teams of Soldiers come for two weeks each. “These are great missions, and the overall meaning is good,” said Sgt. 1st Class Bruce Adams, a 284th training operations noncommissioned officer. “This is the most opportune training these Soldiers get.” Adams explained that they usually have the equipment but not the real estate on which to operate during regular weekend drills. “Not only is this technical, but its tactical training,” said Adams, who hails from St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. “The opportunity to use your skills is great.”
The Soldiers used the opportunity to train in areas where they have little experience. “I don’t have much training in carpentry, so I am learning about that,” said Pvt. Olibama Maestas, an electrician with 3rd Platoon, who is from El Rito, N.M. Spc. Michael Pennington, a carpentry and masonry specialist assigned to 1st Platoon, said that he also received driver’s training on the different types of heavy equipment used at the construction site in Escobal. “I also received sling load training,” said Pennington. Sling loading is the method used to move large heavy objects around by helicopter. Spc. Krashella McQuirter, a carpentry and masonry specialist assigned to 1st Platoon from Dallas, said she learned
a lot about rebar and was impressed with the quality of training. “It’s awesome training,” said McQuirter. “I even learned a little Spanish.” Another opportunity to learn, according to Adams, is allowing the younger Soldiers to take charge. First Lt. Michael Mast, 1st platoon leader and project manager with the 284th, said that this training gives him a chance to develop young Soldiers into leaders. “They are taking on tasks and leading squads that they would not normally do in a garrison environment,” said Mast who is from Stone Lake, Iowa. Second Lt. Ben Zilka, 3rd platoon leader and project manager at the Escobal site
“What gives me more satisfaction is the fact that I was involved in building for the Panamanians. If I’m going to go somewhere and not take anything back, then what’s the point of being there?” — Spc. Michael Pennington, 284th Engineer Company
The Outlaws," from the 284th Engineer Company, dig in to their mission at the Beyond the Horizon training exercise. 24
WARRIOR–CITIZEN