Fit to fight: Soldier Readiness Program prepares troops for deployment

Tamea Wood, medical technician, DeWitt Army Health Care Network, assists Spc. Tyler Monell, of the 302nd Signal Battalion with questions concerning his medical records.

More than 200 Soldiers from Fort Belvoir have a little less to worry about should they be called to deploy in support of the Global War on Terror.

Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Barrett, mobilization noncommissioned officer in charge, said the year’s first Soldier Readiness Program ensured that Soldiers from eight different units on Fort Belvoir are prepared to go wherever the nation needs them.

“This is about Soldier readiness, to get the Soldier ready for combat,” he said of the SRP held Tuesday and Wednesday.

More than 11 stations were set up throughout Bldg. 213 to ensure that the Soldiers’ paperwork, health and dental records were up to date.

“We’ve got [Army Community Services] back there to take care of the family,” Barrett said as he pointed toward a door down a hallway on the building’s first floor. “Soldiers can be assured that their family is going to be taken care of. [Judge Advocate General] is here for power of attorneys and wills.”

Every Soldier must participate in a SRP once a year. Barrett said the program, conducted by Fort Belvoir’s Directorate of Plans, Training and Mobilization, is held once a quarter.

Among the units participating in the SRP on Tuesday were the 212th Military Police Detachment, Headquarters and Headquarters Company - Special Activities and Headquarters Battalion.

Staff Judge Advocate Lt. Col. Mark Tellitocci was among the Soldiers updating paperwork and medical records. He said staff from his office were on hand to help Soldiers with any number of issues that surround a deployment.

“They’ll answer questions about finances,” he added.

While Spc. Tony Monell of the 302nd Signal Battalion has not deployed overseas, he said he appreciates being able to come to one place to get his paperwork checked.

“It’s good that it’s all finalized, just to double check,” he said.

DeWitt Army Community Hospital staffers drew the Soldiers’ blood and administered eye exams during the SRP. Among those getting blood drawn was Sgt. Domino Phoenix of the 302nd Signal Battalion who made a slight grimace as the needle pricked her arm.

“It cuts down on time,” she said.

Spc. Bradley Hunter of 302nd Signal Battalion agreed. He said with the current operational climate his unit is assigned shift work. Hunter himself works as a telecommunications technician on the evening shift.

“It would be much worse if we had to come back three or four times to get everything done,” he said.

Maj. Philip Albaneze, a general surgeon at DeWitt Army Community Hospital, leaned forward and peered into a machine to have his eyes examined.

“It’s a good thing to do,” he said of the SRP. “The problem is, it takes away from patient care time.”

Staff Sgt. Monica Anderson of MEDDAC showed off pictures of her daughters, Brianna Miller, 7, Naija Miller, 4, and Kiera Anderson, 8 months, after completing the SRP process.

“It runs smoothly,” she said. “I didn’t have any problems.”

The next SRP will be held in May.