BAGRAM AIR FIELD, Afghanistan (August 28, 2008) - In a perfect world, military personnel on deployment would always be assigned to jobs within their rates.  Some Sailors assigned to provincial reconstruction teams are billeted as general service, meaning prior military training is not required. 

With the robust nature of PRT Konar’s mission, some assigned Sailors were required to help out in areas they don’t normal work back at their commands.  Through specific focused Army training and on-the-job training, Sailors find themselves contributing to the PRT mission in ways they never imagined.    
Petty Officer 3rd Class Shawn Simmons, a ships serviceman from Sherman, Texas, stationed onboard the USS Kauffman FFG-59 in Norfolk, Va., is one such Sailor. He was the ship's barber and store keeper prior to being deployment to Afghanistan.  His new job is the PRT's computer network technician.

"I maintain the networks for PRT Konar and all units stationed at Camp Wright" said Simmons, who assists in managing the classified and unclassified intranet.

Simmons provides computer security and maintains the internet. Additionally, he maintains American Forces Network, telephone and satellite systems.

"My PRT teammates call me the combat barber," said Simmons, who is also a licensed humvee driver and he qualified expert on the MK19 /240B during pre-deployment training at Fort Bragg, N.C.

Petty Officer 3rd Class Brian Johnson, an engine-man from South Bend, Ind., is another such Sailor. He is stationed at Little Creek, Va., onboard Landing Craft Assault Craft - 85 and is a member of the hovercraft light crew.

Billeted to the PRT as a driver, Johnson spends his off-duty time as a counter IED systems technician. He also maintains communications equipment.

"I learned [area communications] systems by reading the service manuals and [on the job training] from the field service representative,” Johnson said. “After about a month I was ready to work on my own.”

Chief Petty Officer Jeremy Andrews is Simmons’ and Johnson’s division chief. He runs the communications shop for the PRT, called the ‘Comms shop.’

When not mobilized, Andrews, a reservist from Portland, Ore., pilots commercial airplanes out of a civilian airport in Texas.

"Back home, I'm a pilot for American Eagle,” said Andrews. “Here, I supervise Sailors in a one-stop [information technology] shop.”  
Working in the Comms shop in theater is hardly a desk job, said Simmons, who together with Johnson augments PRT Konar's security force by driving humvees and handling weapons.

"I'm always helping out wherever I can,” Simmons said. “I enjoyed being the ship's barber. Here I was given the chance to work in IT, so I did it."

His fellow Sailor agreed.

"I feel this job is important and I'm glad I can help," said Johnson. "It motivates me knowing that what I do helps people to stay alive and contributes to the mission."

The capabilities that these Sailors provide allow Camp Wright to function as a regional IT support center. As a result, the Comms shop provides service to units from the surrounding areas. Andrews recalled a recent occasion where this support proved crucial.

"A unit arrived at [5 a.m.] with a bad GPS system that rendered them mission incapable,” said Andrews. “After hours of troubleshooting, we identified the problem and reconfigured their GPS. They were excited and very thankful. Helping people - that’s what I love about this job." 
And the PRT appreciates their contributions, said the PRT commander.

"I'm Proud of the Soldiers and Sailors at PRT Konar,” said Navy Cmdr. Daniel Dwyer, PRT Konar’s commanding officer. “Many of them are working far outside where they normally work back at their home unit. They exhibit flexibility and commitment to helping the team and supporting the mission anyway they can. I commend them for rising to the challenge."