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SAGAMIHARA, Japan – Pfc. Bronson M. Donald wears the Army Combat
Uniform (ACU) part time. His tan boots that complement his fatigues
are a size 11 and though that might seem like big shoes to fill,
Donald has always envisioned filling much larger ones.
“Soon
after my brother joined the military, so did I,” said Donald. “I
always wanted to be a cop like my dad and my grandfather. My father
and grandfather were both Department of Defense Police officers; I
wanted to follow in their footsteps,” he added.
Joining the
U.S. Army Reserve at age 19, Donald, now a corrections/detention
specialist with the 303rd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 9th Mission
Support Command, is forded the opportunity to conduct military
police duties and responsibilities at his first ever annual training
– Imua Dawn exercise here.
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July 5, 2015 - Pfc. Bronson M. Donald and his team of military police officers review and strategize the battlefield through the Command Post of the Future (CPOF) system during the Imua Dawn exercise in Sagamihara, Japan. CPOF allows commanders to maintain sight over the battlefield and enable collaboration with superiors, peers and subordinates over live data. (U.S. Army courtesy photo)
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Imua Dawn is a Command Post Exercise (CPX) designed
specifically for maneuver enhancement brigades and is a U.S.
Pacific Command (USPACOM) focused, brigade-level CPX for
USPACOM and U.S. Army Pacific Command (USARPAC) assigned
forces. Brigade and battalion level staffs are required to
perform critical collective tasks during the exercise. The
exercise covers the fictional island of Tembago and is
designed to replicate an area of responsibility and
simulated battlefield.
Donald's duties and
responsibilities during the Imua Dawn exercise consists of a
variety of tasks related to combating on the battlefield
through digital software and communication systems,
primarily with the use of Command Post of the Future (CPOF)
software.
“He has taken on the role in
manning the CPOF as well as map plotting and updates,” says
Master Sgt. Steven Webley. “Donald is performing at an E5
[sergeant] level and he is only a PFC [private first class]
right now.”
Donald gives credit to his undergraduate
studies in computers and digital technology for his ability
to adapt to CPOF quickly, but he also believes that anyone
can use more training.
“I wouldn't mind more
training,” he adds. “It all feels amazing because it's [Imua
Dawn exercise] something different, I'm learning a lot for
my first AT [Annual Training] and the best part is being
able to work with my section.”
When asked if he
feels if he is on the right path to filling the shoes his
father and grandfather once wore, Donald smiles and says
that the only thing that matters is that his father tells
him he is proud of him every day.
By U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chanelcherie DeMello
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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