News

Reserve civil engineers earn $750 grants from Society of American Military Engineers

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Jake Chappelle
  • 446th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. --  After returning from their deployment from Kirkuk Air Base, Iraq, back in March, two Reservists from the 446th Civil Engineer Squadron are benefiting from the results of their efforts.

Senior Master Sgt. Bruce Pritchett, 446th CES electrical superintendent and Tech. Sgt. Doug Seekins, 446th CES water fuels maintenance technician, were presented with $750 grants from the Society of American Military Engineers at the 446th CES conference room, Dec. 3.

Every year, grants for continuing education are awarded to engineers from all of the service branches. This year, SAME focused on helping servicemembers who returned from overseas deployments. Sergeants Pritchett and Seekins earned their grants from their efforts and accomplishments from last year's deployment at Kirkuk AB.

"The entire 26-person group that deployed last year was exceptional," said Lt. Col. David Walter, 446th CES commander. "The hardest part was picking two people, but these guys happened to stand out.

These were guys who literally worked around the clock to get their work done, said the Colonel.

"When we got to (Kirkuk AB), it was the third worst in the (area of responsibility) for electrical hazards," he said.  "By the time we left, it was the third best. That's because of Sergeant Pritchett and his team. They also reduced the number of electrical fire threats on base by 97 percent during the rotation."

Sergeant Pritchett gives credit to those who worked with him.

"I have to hand it to my crew," said the master electrician for Thompson Electrical Contractors, Fairchild Air Force Base, Wash. "We really meshed well. The entire group was great."

Sergeant Seekins had a pretty "stinky" responsibility while the unit was in the AOR.

"People don't notice when the system works," said Colonel Walter. "At (Kirkuk AB) the system broke daily. It took a lot of effort to ensure waste and water flowed correctly."

His team inherited a water and sewer system that was designed for 5,000 people and his team ended up making it work for 9,000 people, while ensuring water and waste flow went where it is supposed to go.

Within days of receiving their checks, the sergeants had pretty much made up their minds of how they would spend it.

"I plan on using it for continuing education as a master electrician and finish my associate degree," said Sergeant Pritchett.

Sergeant Seekins has similar plans.

"I'm going to use it to get more education for my trade in utilities," said the 17-year Air Force veteran.

Even after coming back from their deployment about nine months ago, the sergeants appreciate the recognition.

"It reflects well on our commander that he even considered us," said Sergeant Pritchett. "We've been back for almost nine months now and we're still getting praise for what we did."

For more information on the Society of American Military Engineers and their mission, go to www.same.org or call, (703) 549-3800.