Prime Power School salutes its last graduating class from Belvoir

The U.S. Army Prime Power School ended its long and storied association with Fort Belvoir Aug. 19 on the highest of highs. The school graduated 26 students of Army and Navy ranks, during a morning ceremony in front of family, friends and colleagues at Wallace Theatre.

The school, which first began training nuclear power plant operators in 1958, relocates to Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in the coming months, as a result of Base Realignment and Closure actions.

The school's final class went through a daunting, 28-week Prime Power Production Specialty Course consisting of two phases. The first was a 15-week academic course in mathematics, physics, electrical and mechanical engineering. The next 13 weeks were spent in an operator training course studying occupational health and safety procedures, power plant technology and operator maintenance of large, diesel-engine-driven, power plants.

The group also spent an additional 18 weeks in one of the school's mandatory instrumentation, mechanical, or electrical specialist courses. During this phase, students received extensive technical training in troubleshooting, maintenance and repair of distribution systems equipment.

According to guest speaker, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael L. Buxbaum, of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, students are now experts in a very special and unique field.

"Everyone understands the importance of Prime Power and what we bring to the table. You're officially part of the most joint working branch of the Corps of Engineers. That's a big accomplishment," Buxbaum said. "It hasn't been an easy ride and things are only going to get tougher. People will be expecting you to have all the answers. Just continue to learn and challenge yourself. You've been set up for success."

Sgt. Richard H. Ross studied electrical engineering and will be heading to Fort Bragg, N.C., for his next assignment. He appreciated someone like Buxbaum taking time out of his schedule to address the final graduating class from Belvoir. He was also grateful to receive his diploma alongside so many other talented individuals.

"This is the hardest-working and most intelligent group of people I'll ever get to know. We got real close to one another over the course of the year and I'm going to miss them," Ross said after the ceremony. "This was, by far, the most challenging thing I've ever done in my military career. Though, it was well worth it. I'm excited about pursuing a career in the Army and know this can only make me stronger."

Sgt. Steven F. Miller, who already has a college degree in electrical engineering, studied mechanical engineering and field delivery site set-up at the school. He will keep his talents at Belvoir and join its 249th Engineer Battalion Charlie Company.

"The school was incredibly challenging. I remember having to stay to either 9 or 10 o'clock at night just to finish what we were working on. It's all for our benefit," Miller said. "There's a lot to absorb. Now, it's important for us to use and apply what we learned out in the field. That's where it will pay off."