SAN MARCOS, Calif. -- Senior leadership from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, Reserve Affairs and Headquarters Air Force Reserve Command visited the TERI Campus of Life Innovative Readiness Training project to review progress and training quality July 8.
Air Force and Navy reservists are working together to construct a 20-acre learning academy to serve people with special needs in San Diego County.
This project provides Airmen and Seaman hands-on training on a large portion of the civil engineering portfolio, from masonry, to equipment operations to structures work, while providing the local community with needed services, said Maj. Anna Hill, IRT director at AFRC.
The OSDRA selected the TERI Campus of Life project because of these excellent training opportunities that it affords service members and the impact it will have on under-served communities.
The project is in the first year of a three-year mission. Senior leaders saw Airman and Seaman clearing land and building a 2,200 linear foot retaining wall to enclose the future campus site. In the future, they will be building vertical and horizontal structures to complete the project.
“This is a double opportunity to serve, not only do we get to serve our nation by practicing our military skill sets, but we get to do something great for our nation and local communities as well,” said Col. Amanda Birch, OSD deputy director of Civil Military Training.
In the last four months, 224 Airmen and Seaman working in two-week rotations, have completed 22,197 man hours and 5,466 training tasks.
“This is why I joined the Air Force Reserve in the first place; to do things like this and help out people and organizations like TERI,” said Senior Airman Mark Gurnsey, 556th Red Horse Squadron, Hurlburt Field, Florida.
TERI is a nonprofit organization whose purpose is to serve people with special needs to help them become active participants in society. The new campus will allow them to expand the educational, art, performing art, physical fitness, culinary, urban farming, vocational, and practical life training that they offer to San Diego County.
“We’ve been so impressed with all the troops you’ve sent here. The dedication and spirit has been fabulous. This has been an outstanding environment of cooperation,” said Cheryl Kilmore, chief executive officer and founder
“We appreciate everything you’re doing. We couldn’t do this without you. You’re helping improve lives,” said Debbie Horne, TERI staff developer and quality assurance.