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Specialist Jeremy Pope from Desoto, Missouri is a clerk with the 1035th but his civilian mechanics job at Big Gun Racing in Blackwell, Missouri where he works on Monster Trucks and Custom four-Wheel drive systems, his skills make him a valuable asset for the 1035th. Working at the Iraqi Security Force vehicle preparation yard he and his fellow soldiers prepped and installed light bars and sirens on over 50 vehicles in just over a day. (Photo by Sgt. First Class Tom Roberts)

FORWARD OPERATING BASE SPEICHER, Iraq - The National Guard is known for its ability to be flexible and accomplish missions outside its normally assigned duties, and Missouri's 1035th Maintenance Company is no exception. Although 1035th members are primarily trained to provide general support maintenance, the unit has been challenged with new missions while serving in Iraq.

Soldiers of 1035th Maintenance Company, with unit locations in St. Louis and De Soto, Mo. and augmented by two platoons from the 736th Maintenance Company based in Gatesville, Texas, are trained to repair and rebuild diesel engines, transmissions, track vehicles, and armament, as well as other maintenance activities, for a variety of tactical military vehicles. Upon mobilization, the 1035th was re-organized as a direct support maintenance company and the units were split to make two additional platoons.

“The Soldiers from Missouri and Texas have really melded together,” said Capt. Missy Morris, commander of the 1035th. “These challenges have made us a more cohesive, tightly integrated unit.”

The blended two-state unit has shown its versatility throughout Forward Operating Base Speicher by working in supply, aviation support operations, and even setting up a woodworking shop in addition to the unit's usual maintenance mission.

“We have personnel at more than ten locations on the base. Tracking what they are doing becomes critical and accountability of personnel is a real challenge,” said 1035th Maintenance Control Officer, 1st Lt. Deb Banaszak.

These Citizen-Soldiers are able to perform diverse missions through a unique skill-set that is not seen in the active duty components – civilian job skills and experience.

Spc. Jeremy Pope of Desoto, Missouri is a prime example of what civilian skills can bring to the war fight. Desoto was trained by the Army to be a clerk, but his skills as a mechanic and custom fabricator with Big Gun Racing in Blackwell, Missouri has proven to be a vital asset in the unit's maintenance mission. He currently works in the Iraqi Security Force's vehicle preparation yard helping other Soldiers prepare vehicles for tough OIF missions. In just one day, they prepped and installed light bars and sirens on more than 50 vehicles destined for the rugged terrain of Iraq.

“I really enjoy this type of work,” Desoto said.

In fact, when he returns from Iraq he plans to buy the monster truck and custom four-wheel drive systems business from his employer.

“My boss is retiring to run his own monster truck on the racing circuit, so when I get home he's selling me the business,” Desoto said.

While Soldiers bring much needed civilian experience to the battlefield, they also receive military experience that can lead to a better job when they return home.

“I like what I'm doing and want to continue what I'm doing,” said the future small business owner. "We can continue to produce a fine product and I would love to hire some of the good mechanics we have in the 1035th."

© 2005 The Army National Guard. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.

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