Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 S.C. National Guard recognizes value of trained transporters By Lt. Col. Cindi King
                South Carolina National Guard
 EASTOVER, S.C. - They are among the first mobilized during disaster response or in combat, and leaders who plan logistics know without their support, missions abruptly come to halt. These are the Motor Vehicle Transport operators, the Soldiers who drive trucks to transport everything from troops or supplies, to large items such as other vehicles. The 4th Battalion, 218th Regiment Training Institute (RTI) in the South Carolina National Guard, kicked off its final 88M (Motor Vehicle Transport Operator) reclassification course at the McCrady Training Center, part of Fort Jackson property in Eastover, South Carolina, Jan. 20. Based on RTI restructuring around the nation, the South Carolina National Guard's 4th Battalion at the RTI is scheduled to stop teaching the 88M beginning in fiscal year 2019. "We've been like a family out here,” said Sgt. First Class Charles Farthing, the 88M10 Course Manager for 4th Battalion, 218th RTI. "We have an incredible amount of knowledge with our instructor base and it's hard to see it coming to an end.” The four-week reclassification course is taught in two phases. This particular class had Soldiers from North Carolina, Georgia, and Utah, from both the National Guard and U.S. Army Reserves, with a planned graduation date of Feb. 17. "During the first week, we began with straight line backing, ally docking and right and left hand turns using a 5-ton cargo truck,” said Farthing. "These exercises teach the Soldier how to maneuver the vehicle safely during scenarios such as a docking situation, both with straight and curved routes, and moving the vehicle on roadways, keeping situational awareness of distances on the right and left." According to Farthing, who has worked with the 88M course since 2009, it's important for drivers to practice turns to keep a proper distance from curbs and not to go into other lanes. During the course, they work on every important detail from proper seat belt use, to preventive maintenance checks and services (PMCS) to driving on hardball roads and tank trails.” "Safety is always the most important component we stress to the students,” said Farthing. On day four of the training on Jan. 24, the students practiced the skills they learned in the classroom on the open dirt training area at McCrady."I feel awesome. I can now PMCS a truck myself," said Spc. Linda Martinez, a student from the 941st Transportation Company, U.S. Army Reserves. "I was previously a cook on active duty and this was the first time I was able to drive a cargo truck and learn about it." Farthing said it is always rewarding to see how with each day of instruction, the confidence of the students grows and they pick up more and more. He added when he looks back at the over 20 iterations of the 88M course he's supported, it's the impact on the students he will never forget. "We meet Soldiers who say they have never driven a large truck and they tell you they feel like they can't do it,” said Farthing. "At the end of the course after they've passed everything, seeing their pride and sense of accomplishment is truly the joy of teaching."
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 2 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 10 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 10 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil