Some military vehicles can’t travel safely through the rough terrain, rigorous roads and congested traffic of Liberia. So when 36th Engineer Brigade soldiers deployed in support of Operation United Assistance have a mission outside of the National Police Training Academy here, there’s a solution: Army Staff Sgt. Jose Nieves.
Nieves, a movement noncommissioned officer for Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 36th Engineer Brigade, assigns drivers to the soldiers going out on missions from the NPTA to build Ebola treatment units or camps.
“My day at the NPTA starts early in the morning, by 6:30 a.m.,” said Nieves, who hails from Bayamon, Puerto Rico. “I come in around the same time as the drivers and assign them to locations based on prior planning.”
Nieves said he starts by picking up the trip tickets from the tactical operations center. The trip tickets consist of the number of personnel, vehicles requested and a point of contact for the missions.
Job Requires Long Hours
Some days are extremely busy for Nieves, but he works until his mission is complete. “Sometimes I work long hours,” he said. “The end of day doesn't stop until all soldiers make it back safely from their missions.”
Chicago native Army Spc. Joshua Owens, a movement specialist with HHC, said he loves his job.
“Working with [Nieves] is rewarding,” Owens said. “Although we have long days with the movement of vehicles, I enjoy our long talks about our experience here, advice on career and even playing dominos with him.”
Owens said the highlight of his day is interacting with the drivers.
Haji A. Sheriff is a contractor from Monrovia hired to drive approved privately owned vehicles throughout Liberia in support of Operation United Assistance.
“Before the drivers head out, we laugh and joke with them,” Owens said. “Haji is our guy to go to, and he’s a man with good morals -- very religious and full of positivity.”
Adding to His Skill Set
Nieves said he appreciates his role in Operation United Assistance, especially the skills he has gained from his position.
“I've learned so much working as a movement NCO,” Nieves said. “I learned how to manage operational movements efficiently. Those are important skills that I will definitely need when I progress in my career.”
As much as he enjoys his job, Nieves said, he can't wait to go back home to his family.
“I will miss this place, but I'm ready to go on vacation,” he said. “With everything that I have accomplished and learned here, I can't wait to share that with my family.”