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Soldiers Find Ways to Further Career Development

13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) Public Affairs

Spc. Sharmel Bey, an Anchorage, Alaska native and heavy wheeled vehicle operator in the 47th Transportation Company, 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade is pictured at the company motor pool standing in front of an M1000 Heavy Equipment Transport trailer. She is one of the many 47th Trans. Soldiers who were afforded the opportunity to take advantage of the General Technical improvement course in an effort to further her career and opportunities while in the Army.

AL ASAD AIRBASE, Iraq - Soldiers with the 47th Transportation Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade, out of Ft. Bliss, Texas are a little closer to reaching their career and educational goals as a result of the availability of the General Technical improvement courses.

Spc. Dustin Bradford, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator with the 47th Transportaion Co., is one of many Soldiers who seize the opportunity to participate in educational and career enriching courses while deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Bradford, a Lewes, Del. Native, is one of many Soldiers within the company who has taken advantage of the opportunity to increase his score and open up doors to further his career. "My intention in taking the course is to increase my score and further my career by achieving the score needed to submit a Green-to Gold packet ...I never thought I would have an opportunity to do something like that while being deployed," Bradford said.

Pfc. Hineia Sellers, a Moss Point, Miss. native and a heavy wheeled vehicle operator in the 47th Transportation Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade is pictured above sitting the in the atrium at the company headquarters. Sellers also had the opportunity to take the General Technical test and improve her score above a 110. She is currently pursuing a degree in political science and hopes by raising her GT score that she will be one step closer to furthering her career by becoming a commissioned officer.

Spc. Daisy McMahon, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator and orderly room clerk with the 47th Transportation Co. and an El Paso, Texas, native, also welcomed the opportunity of educational and career opportunities while being deployed. "It's something you wouldn't expect while being deployed," McMahon said. "The instructors were very helpful and knowledgeable; they helped me increase my scores. If they didn't have the answer they would find out and get back with me."

Cpl. David Laboy, a heavy wheeled vehicle operator, and a Chicago, Ill. Native, is currently enrolled in the course and welcomes the career opportunities it offers. "My GT score is a 95 right now and I wanted to take the course to open my opportunities and re-enlistment options in the Communications field", Laboy said. "I'm three weeks into a four week course and I'm right where I need to be as far as my score. My last deployment was kind of rushed but this one has allowed me the opportunity to further my career and still support the mission."

Pfc. Andre Welch, from Detroit, Mich., Spc. Daisy McMahon, of El Paso, Texas, Sgt. Cecilio Meyers, a Dade City, Fla. native, Spc. Sharmel Bey, from Fort Richardson, Alaska, and Lewes, Del. native, Spc. Dustin Bradford, heavy wheeled vehicle operators in the 47th Transportation Co., 751st Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 96th Sustainment Brigade are pictured at the White Elephant Morale, Welfare, and recreation facility after graduating from the General Technical improvement course. The course offers Soldiers an opportunity to increase their score and broaden the career and educational opportunities they might have available while in the Army.

The GT Improvement course is just one of the many ways the 47th Transportation Co. utilizes its time while completing the mission. By reaching career and educational goals, these Soldiers continue to be leaders amongst the company.