Story by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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1st Lt. Timothy Lee, commander of the 307th Component Repair Company accepts a unit photo from Maj. Michael Basart, executive officer of the National Maintenance Training Center at Camp Dodge, Iowa in 2012. (Photo courtesy of 307th CRC)
FRANKFORT, Ky. -- In July of 2012, the Kentucky Army Guard's 307th Component Repair Company conducted it's annual training to transition from a component repair mission to a sustainment maintenance level mission. Even with the change in mission, the Soldiers of the unit continued their efforts to ensure the 307th met and exceed it's task requirements, regardless of the type of work they received.
The Soldiers' commitment paid off, and the Central City, Ky.-based unit raked in the awards. For fiscal year 2012, the 307th won four unit awards from the state to National level.
They first were recognized with the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence (AAME) for the medium Modified Table of Organization and Equipment (MTOE) category at the state level for 2012; next was the Region III winner for National Guard Bureau (NGB) for 2012. The 307th then hit the national stage as the NGB winner for 2012 for the medium category
The extraordinary run culminated with the Combined Logistics Excellence Award for the AAME for the 2012-2013 Department of the Army competition for the medium category.
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Spc. Johnna Bratcher and members of the 307th Component Repair Company watch as Staff Sgt. Phil Stephens demonstrates soldering techniques. (Kentucky National Guard photo by Sgt. Dale Elliott)
"This competition was a true reflection of how great the 307th was during the 12 months period," said Capt. Timothy Lee, who commanded the unit from 2011-2013.
"I am extraordinarily proud of my Soldier and their significant efforts, dedication, and sacrifices during this timeframe," he added. "The Soldiers of the 307th went above and beyond all expectations every drill weekend and every training event. It was a unparalleled pleasure commanding this exceptional unit."
The 307th is made up of roughly 140 Soldiers with a variety of military specialities that have taught them to repair anything from heating and air units to tracked vehicles. Many Soldiers work full-time in a military maintenance facility, a fact that Chief Warrant Officer Greg Scott said the unit uses to its advantage.
"We are a maintenance unit competing for a maintenance award, we played to our strengths," said Scott who worked as an engineer maintenance warrant officer. "The 307th not only utilizes maintenance systems and programs, but they seek to understand and master them and become subject matter experts. By doing this, others often turn to us for guidance on fixing things from all over the state."
Scott said it was because of the Soldiers' dedication to their job that the unit was so highly recognized. Each member strived to do what was right and exceed the standard, a quality that has been with the unit for years said Staff Sgt. Ashley Wolfe, Training NCO for the unit.
"It has been a pleasure to be a part of a such a unit for this long," said Wolfe, a 12-year member of the unit. "We have excelled in our transformation from a maintenance company to a CRC over the last 12 years and the 307th has consistently met all the challenges placed before us. I'm sure our teamwork and dedication to duty will continue with every mission of this unit."
According to the U.S. Army Ordnance Corps and School, the winner of the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence displays an expertise and professionalism in performing their tasks. Each unit is evaluated on their effectiveness in ensuring that Soldier competency is maintained. Assessments of each unit in the categories of attitude and effective leadership are rated with a benchmark based on those of past winners, and the tenets of exceptional maintenance processes that were exhibited are validated and ranked.
With past Army-wide awards, the winners would travel to Washington, D.C. to accept the trophy or plaque, but due to budget constraints, the award was to be mailed to the unit. At the time of publication, the award has yet to make it to the 307th. A fact Lee said does not disappoint the unit.
"Regardless of who gave it to us, or when we get it, it will hang on our wall, saying we are the best," he said. "It will hang there as a constant reminder of the hard work and dedication of these Soldiers and their pride in doing a good job for the Kentucky National Guard."