Hometown Military News for Jan. 1, 2016:

Springfield National Guard unit recognized for maintenance excellence

SPRINGFIELD – The Department of the Army announced Dec. 21 the 3637th Support Maintenance Company, based in Springfield, is a semifinalist in the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence competition.

The annual award is meant to encourage competition and units are evaluated on its ability to use maintenance resources efficiently, sustain unit readiness, improve safety, reduce waste, inspire innovation, recognize accomplishments and provide positive incentives for extraordinary maintenance efforts. The competition also assists units to identify areas of improvement and helps it assess its ability to effect change within the organization.

Company Commander Capt. Justin Conley, of Downers Grove, said the 3637th SMC has a heavy focus on maintenance operations, which gave them an advantage over some competitors, but he said it was the dedication of the unit’s Soldiers that placed them in the national spotlight.

“The 3637th Soldiers have a real sense of pride in the services they provide and that teamwork and camaraderie is what drives us to be so successful,” Conley said. “We have a lot of subject matter experts that put in a lot of hours who are willing to pitch in wherever they can.”

This past year, some of the 3637th soldiers spent their off-duty time to rebuild the engine of a World War II scout car for the Illinois State Military Museum so that it could be featured in parades and other community events.

“That’s just one example of how these Soldiers go above and beyond what’s asked of them,” Conley said.

The company’s 20-page nomination packet, required to enter the AAME competition, illustrated the unit’s maintenance programs and Soldier readiness.

The AAME competition is divided into different phases spanning nearly six months. The 3637th SMC won competitions at the state, regional and National Guard Bureau levels. The unit is one of nine National Guard units across the nation to be selected as a semi-finalist. In January, AAME evaluators will conduct an onsite inspection of the unit as part of the final phase of the competition.

The AAME was established in 1982 to recognize exceptional accomplishments in maintenance operations and to provide added incentive to the competitive programs of Major Army Commands. The program includes Active Component units, as well as Army Reserve and Army National Guard units from all 54 states and territories.

Click here to see WJBC Hometown Military News archives.