Replies

To: SAMWolf; snippy_about_it; PhilDragoo; Johnny Gage; Victoria Delsoul; The Mayor; Darksheare; ...

I have to toot my horn on this one. I, yes little old me, was the project director for the M1 Tank Driver Trainer from inception to fielding. I remember walking out onto an empty field with the architect and asking him if he could design a 40,000+ sq ft building to fit there. He said he thought it could be done and he did it. I testified to a senate committee for an insert in the MCA (Major Construction, Army) budget to get the building completed in time for the first trainers. I saw the engineers at General Electric design the trainers, I took the NCOs to the GE facility in Daytona Beach and patiently sat with them for hours as they described the dynamics of tank movement and sensations to the engineers so they could model them in the software. I was the evaluator of the testing and wrote the evaluation report supporting the procurement of the M1TDT.

The result? A system that cost the government about $40M including the facility and has saved that amount many times over in saved fuel, accident prevention and other areas.

When it came time to name the building, no one had heard of a tanker by the name of Pool. One person did some research and found out the greatest "ace" of WWII and submitted his name. The Corps of Engineers protocol required naming buildings after someone who was deceased so this needed a waiver, which was granted. At the dedication for the building Mrs Pool and some other relatives were present.

I just switched jobs and when going through my desk I found the pamphlet we produced for the dedication. If I can find it again I will try to get it posted.

119 posted on 07/28/2004 6:58:15 PM PDT by SLB ("We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us." C. S. Lewis)

120 posted on 07/28/2004 7:00:35 PM PDT by Darksheare (Lunatic turtle on the barnyard fence with a fruitcake gun, shouting many squirrels..)

122 posted on 07/28/2004 7:09:35 PM PDT by The Mayor (The crowns we wear in heaven must be won on earth.)

Evening SLB.

Thank you for your service. Getting that training center up deserves some horn tooting! That's one hell of an accomplishment.

I just switched jobs and when going through my desk I found the pamphlet we produced for the dedication. If I can find it again I will try to get it posted.We'd love to see the pamphlet if You can find it.

128 posted on 07/28/2004 10:34:56 PM PDT by SAMWolf (Vote Democratic... It's easier than getting a job.)

If I can find it again I will try to get it posted.

We would really appreciate that. How very cool that they got the waiver to name it after SSgt Pool. Neat that you had it built.

Thanks for sharing this with the Foxhole.

130 posted on 07/28/2004 10:37:21 PM PDT by snippy_about_it (Fall in --> The FReeper Foxhole. America's History. America's Soul.)

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