Camp Roberts Reveille

CALIFORNIA STATE MILITARY RESERVE

CALIFORNIA MILITARY HERITAGE COMMAND
MUSEUM SUPPORT UNIT
UNIT-CENTRAL
CENTRAL CALIFORNIA
CAMP ROBERTS, CALIFORNIA
29 February 2016

Winter Issue

Welcome to the Winter

Newsletter of the Museum
Support Unit-Central
California at Camp Roberts.
In this Issue:
Commanders Corner
Nipomo Mens Club?
MATES, Then and Now
Emergency Response
Exercise
On the Funny Side
And Much More!
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We hope you enjoy this

edition of the Camp Roberts
Reveille!
--CW4 (CA) Henry Leon
Commanding
California Military Heritage
Command
Museum Support UnitCentral California

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ON THE COVER:

Commanders Corner

Top: The Nipomo Mens

club building started life at
Camp Roberts. See the
article on this lost relic from
the posts past.

2016 has come in like a lion and we are getting ready

for a very busy year. Our first drill of the New Year
took place at historic Camp San Luis Obispo (CSLO) at
building 807, right next to the PX and other main post
activities. It was great being on the post that is the home
of the California National Guard. The old post is alive
with the history of past soldiers that trained there. The
unit conducted regular drill business and then tidied up
building 807 before leaving for the day. The new
building will eventually become the primary
headquarters for soldiers from the California Military
Heritage Command (CMHC) at Camp San Luis.
Current unit soldiers will continue to drill at Camp
Roberts and any new members who join the Museum Support Unit Central
California, will be posted at Camp San Luis Obispo in the future unless they
request to drill at Camp Roberts.

Photo: CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

Bottom: The Museum

Support Unit-Central
Californias new home at
Camp San Luis Obispo,
building 807.
Photo: CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

Camp Roberts Reveille

Winter 2016 Issue
Publisher:
Museum Support UnitCentral California
Editor:
SGT (CA) Jason Orton
Contributors:
CW4 (CA) Henry Leon
SSG (CA) Gary DuBois
SGT (CA) Joyce Perkins
SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan
PFC (CA) Coy Briscoe
PFC (CA) Katrina Sheen
PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen
Editing and Proofreading:
SGM (CA) Carlos Gama
All Rights Reserved.
Material herein may not be
reprinted without express
written consent of the
publisher.
For mail correspondence:
1895 Ironwood Dr.
Santa Maria, CA 93455

I have been authorized by the CMHC to announce, thru this newsletter, that we
are looking for civilians, those with previous military service, and soldiers
getting ready to retire, to join the California State Military Reserves to serve in
the CMHC. We have over 20 openings to fill, mostly at CSLO, that range from
Detachment Commander to painter and many other positions in-between.
Those interested in joining the California State Military Reserve can contact
Recruiting Task Force Central NCOIC Sergeant Major Carlos H. Gama Jr. at
csm.gama@gmail.com or call his phone number 805-440-0144.
If you are a civilian interested in serving your state and nation or are a veteran
looking for an opportunity to continue using skills you gained through past
military service, then serving with the CMHC could be the ticket for your lifes
next mission. Our mission is to preserve, promote, and record the military
history of the State of California. This mission honors those who have given us
the freedoms we enjoy today and ensures their sacrifices will never be
forgotten.
Please think about how you might be able to contribute to this great mission and
then contact SGM Gama for information about beginning your new mission for
the State and Nation.

CW4 HENRY LEON

Nipomo Mens Club Born at Camp Roberts?

CW4 (CA) Henry Leon and SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan

A small piece of Camp Roberts history can be found

about 55 miles to the south in the little town of Nipomo,
California. The building, which is now the Nipomo
Mens Club, was built at Camp Roberts in 1942 and was
one of the original 700 series structures used by soldiers
on the historic post. The structure was acquired by local
farmers and moved to Nipomo in 1952. They brought
the building in pieces on the back of farm trucks
according to Joe Larr. Mr. Larr is the current President
of the Nipomo Mens Club and he and club member
David Duran met with us to talk about the history of the
building and show us around the property.

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The Nipomo Mens club building is actually an old 700

Series building from Camp Roberts. The story of how it
got to Nipomo and its second life is an interesting tale.

The Mens Club came into being as a social organization

for the town, ranchers, and businesses in 1944. It was
Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan
the only social organization in existence at that time.
Prior to obtaining the building from Camp Roberts, the area was an outdoor venue consisting of 3 parcels of
donated land. It only had an outhouse and barbeque pit. Upon acquiring the building, it had the distinction of
being the largest structure in the area. Because of its size it was partitioned to serve as an elementary school
and church in its early days. The building also hosted fundraisers for the Elks Queen candidates until 1988
when they moved to the Elks Lodge. It was even home
to a local karate class for about 35 years. The Nipomo
Womens Club also used the building for their meetings
until 10 years ago when they moved to a local restaurant.
Today, the club hosts fund raising events, the 4H Club,
and, of course, meetings of the Mens Club. Today the
club has approximately 100 members.

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Interior view of the Nipomo mens club showing that not

much has changed from the original look and feel of
the original Camp Roberts building aside from the
addition of a fireplace. Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan

The club members we met with while visiting the old

Camp Roberts building were enthusiastic about the
buildings longevity. They were quick to point out that
the military built it in 1942 as a temporary structure at
Camp Roberts. The military used soft Georgia Pine so
the life expectancy of the building was estimated at only
10 years originally.

The Club is in the process of trying to upgrade the

building because of deterioration to the structure. Back
in the day, the farmers used whatever they could for support of the foundation. This resulted in the club
members using sandstone rocks on adobe soil which both hold moisture and swell with the changing
temperature. As a result, the roof and floor exhibit a wave like appearance. There are plans for a new roof and
foundation if they can obtain the proper permits without being required to make additional improvements. The
permit procedure may require the construction of a new parking lot and lighting. If this is the case and funds
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cannot be obtained for a remodel or new construction, the

Mens Club may resort back to an outdoor venue only,
just as it did before the building was moved from Camp
Roberts.

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A side view of the mens club showing the sections of

the building. The building was so large that it originally
was sectioned off and used as an elementary school
and a church in the early days of its second life.

The building is also in need of a paint job which

reminded our host of a funny story. When the building
arrived in 1952 it was white, just like all the military
buildings at that time. The Mens Club facility manager
eventually painted it yellow with turquoise trim
supposedly because they were good Portuguese/Filipino
colors. Apparently it was an eyesore to many of the
wives who had to drive past the building. The wives
complained to their husbands until a vote was made to
change the turquoise trim to a darker green which it still
retains today.

While the old building may no longer serve the needs of

soldiers, it found continued use with residents of this
central coast community. Many generations of the towns residents have found fellowship and refuge inside the
walls of a building that was only meant to stand for 10 years.
Photo: SGT (CA) Terrence Rogan

MATES, Then and Now

PFC (CA) Coy Briscoe and PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen

The Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site (MATES), formerly the Mobilization And Training Equipment
Site, is located at the East Garrison of Camp Roberts. Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jon Rempe is shop foreman of
the facility which is responsible for organizational support and maintenance of the automotive part of all the
equipment positioned at MATES. The facility is a key
fixture in supporting California National Guard and other
military units training on post.
Prior to 9-11, MATES provided support for California
Army National Guard and United States Army Reserve
units during annual training for the units mechanized
artillery and armored live fire training on the post ranges.

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Photo of MATES circa 1989 showing a significant

amount of armored vehicles at the facility.
Maintenance activities for armored vehicles are
currently completed at Fort Irwin in southern California
instead of Camp Roberts. Photo: PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen

Today, the site includes combat, tactical, commercial,

support, engineer, and special purpose vehicles. The
work on tracked vehicles moved to Fort Irwin in Southern
California a few years ago. Prior to 2003, MATES had
approximately 200 workers both military and civilian
supporting the mission of the facility. Cutbacks have
reduced that number to approximately 50 personnel. In
the past, the facility did most of the painting of the
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vehicles on post but changes in regulations governing painting have resulted in the elimination of this function
today.
In the past, MATES was equipped to support complete
reserve divisions once a year, approximately 20,000
soldiers, with tanks for training as if they were
deployed to an actual combat theater.
Some military units still visit MATES at Camp
Roberts East Garrison to train but the numbers of tank,
telecom and weapons specialists at the facility have
been dramatically reduced. Camp Roberts is
considered the largest and most capable training area in
California and supports light and heavy maneuver
training with 2 airfields that in the past would support
even large military fixed wing aircraft. While the
mission of MATES may have changed over the years,
the professionalism exhibited by the soldiers that work
there continues to be a testament to the dedication of
those who serve the State of California and the nation.

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Photo of MATES today showing several trucks in the

yard. The changing role of the facility has reduced the
number of staff from nearly 200 to around 50 but the
facility is still a vital part of training at Camp Roberts and
preparing soldiers for combat or emergency support
missions. Photo: PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen

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MATES in 1989 also had many armored personnel

tracked vehicles at the facility. Tanks, Bradley Fighting
Vehicles, and other armored units were a large fixture at
Camp Roberts Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site
until a few years ago. Photo: PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen

Self propelled artillery was also a common site in the

MATES yard as was seen in this photo from 1989.
Today the facility services mostly trucks and other non
armored vehicles for use on the post and by units
training at Camp Roberts. Photo: PFC (CA) Patrick Sheen

Anti-Terrorism Response Exercise

PFC (CA) Coy Briscoe

On September 1, 2015, over 400 California National Guard

soldiers and airmen participated in a simulated terrorist attack
response training drill at the Camp Roberts Combined Arms
Collective Training Facility (Mock City). The incident scenario
was a terrorist attack on a popular Las Vegas hotel. The training
units included National Guard soldiers from Fairfield and also
Fresnos 144th Fighter Wing.
The scenario utilized volunteers portraying injured victims of the
attack in realistic training for responders to the incident. PFCs
Coy Briscoe and Patrick Sheen of the Camp Roberts historical
unit portrayed injured victims of the incident along with others
from the local area. Briscoe, a Paramedic in the civilian world,
commented, It was a great opportunity to watch medical
professionals from the patient side without actually having to be
injured in a real emergency. I was able to pick up some skills
and ideas that will help me in my job treating real patients.

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The Camp Roberts Combine Arms Collective

Training Facility was used to simulate the
response to a mock terrorist attack.

Initially, the volunteer victims gathered together in one room at

Photo: Carrie McCulley
the beginning of the day as strangers but quickly got to know
one another as
they received training on how to portray casualties of an attack.
They went into another room where five artists applied
moulage or fake injuries to add realism to the exercise. One of
these artists was former Camp Roberts historical unit member,
Carrie McCulley. Each volunteer was provided with a card
which described their injuries and also their vital signs so that
exercise participants would know how to respond to the
injuries with the proper medical care.

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Participants in the exercise received fake

wounds and a script of symptoms to help train
the responders in the exercise.

Groups of 15-20 volunteers were placed in designated positions

simulating the greatest impact of an attack and began acting in
their roles as victims of the disaster. Victims were designated
either as ambulatory or non ambulatory requiring different
actions from the National Guard responders. Responders
conducted initial triage and the ambulatory were directed to
walk to another area. Those found to be non ambulatory were
placed on mobile cots and taken directly into a
decontamination tent. The ambulatory were taken to another
decontamination tent and partially disrobed to remove possible
contaminated clothing.

Photo: PFC (CA) Coy Briscoe

In shorts and t-shirts, the ambulatory victims underwent a

simulated decontamination cleaning and rinse. They
were then moved to an area where a device called a
Sniffer was used to determine if toxic or flammable
materials were still present. This ensured that no harmful
or dangerous materials made it to the treatment areas.
The soldiers who were training during the simulation
were professional and gave clear instructions to the mock
victims showing the effectiveness of their training in a
stressful scenario.
The next area involved the actual treatment of the various
medical conditions and injuries of the victims.
Responders evaluated the victims based on their visible
injuries and the information on the cards that listed vital
signs and additional symptoms. Some were transported
by ambulance while those with less serious injuries were
triaged out of the treatment area.
Another part of the exercise involved the search and
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rescue of those who may have been trapped and injured in
the debris and rubble of the simulated hotel where the
National Guard personnel received excellent training
attack took place. Participating victims in the area were
at Camp Roberts in order to respond to the aftermath
interviewed to determine who might be missing or
of a terrorist attack resulting in the need to treat a
large number of casualties. Photo: Carrie McCulley
trapped in the building. Guard members went through the
area with search dogs in an attempt to locate missing
victims. In some cases this was successful but, in others, the search dogs failed to find the victims. PFC Sheen
reported that in his role as an injured victim in the rubble, he saw the search K-9 and handler walk past him
several times without noticing him. Another participant was missing for nearly 6 hours!
The training exercise provided a great opportunity to test California National Guard capabilities and also for
determining what additional training and preparation might be required in the future. Training similar to the
one conducted at Camp Roberts is part of the overall readiness program undertaken by the California National
Guard to ensure they are ready to serve when called upon. Another test of the capabilities of the California
National Guard is scheduled for April of 2016.

Newsletter Odd and Ends

Musuem Support Unit-Central California Drill Schedule
5 March 2016
2 April 2016
13 - 15 May 2016 Annual Unit Training Assembly at Camp San Luis Obispo
4 June 2016
*CSMR soldiers wishing to perform a SUTA with the MSU-CC should contact CW4 (CA) Henry Leon in advance at:
hhc20th@msn.com. Dates are subject to change. All unit members will be notified of any changes as they occur.
First formation time is 0800 hrs at the Camp Roberts Museum Annex.
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Unit Members Have New Digs at Camp SLO

The January 2016 drill for the Museum Support
Unit-Central California (MSU-CC) found the unit
members at Camp San Luis Obispo. The purpose of
this visit was to see the new building established as a
functioning history center for the post. According to
post historian, Sergeant Major (CA) Dan Sebby,
building 807 will be used to primarily organize,
catalog, and store artifacts as well as serve as the
headquarters for the Museum Support Unit-Central
California when drilling on post.
According to SGM Sebby, a secure area will
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eventually be created to allow for access by outside
Soldiers from the MSU-CC met in building 807 at Camp
researchers to the numerous volumes of the military
San Luis Obispo during the January drill assembly.
history of the State of California which will fill
Photo: CW4 (CA) Henry Leon
future shelving along the walls. Artifacts and
records will greatly serve the needs of researchers from the local area in the ongoing effort to understand and
tell the story of Californias military past.
The building needs significant repairs to the floors due to dry rot in the subfloor along with safety railings, ADA
upgrades, graffiti removal, and other repairs to the ceiling due to missing tiles. Other safety issues will also be
addressed by the post maintenance team. The facility does currently have running water and heat which was
nice for the unit members visiting the new location in the brisk weather of early January.
The Sergeant Major plans to add the capability to access the federal database system to allow for digital
archiving as part of the eventual development of the
building. The system created by SGM Sebby at the
site is intended to be at National Archive Standards for
the preservation and security of the valuable records
and artifacts. The Sergeant Major also spent time
during the visit detailing how he intended to move over
the various items on post from other locations for
storage, sorting, cataloging, and indexing in the new
building.

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Building 807, next door to the post exchange, will

become the center for military history record keeping and
preservation at Camp San Luis Obispo after much
needed work and upgrades Photo: CW4 (CA) Henry Leon

The facility will also provide a small space for MSUCC personnel eventually assigned to the post to meet
inside for their monthly drill. One office in the
building will be made available during drills for use as
an orderly room for conducting unit business and
paperwork.

While the new building may not be fully ready for use, it is a major step in the ongoing effort to record, collect,
preserve, and share the military history of the state. Future generations will benefit from the efforts made today
to preserve this history.
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Copyright Pending February 2016

Time for Army

survival training
in the snow!

You are not

sleeping
outside

One Hour Later

Yes I am!!!
Too Cold!
Im going
inside!

Copyright Pending February 2016

Im going to sleep
outside in the
snow!

Hes out of
his mind!

Thats all for this issue! Be sure to check out the Spring 2016 issue!
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I like warm
weather.

Acknowledgements and Notes:

The California State Military Reserve with the California Military Heritage Command and the Museum Support Unit-Central
California at Camp Roberts, owe thanks to many people for this newsletter. First, our thanks to Brigadier General (CA) Timothy E.
Albertson, Commander of the CSMR and to Colonel (CA) John Goodnight, Commander of the CMHC.
Our thanks and appreciation for their support on Post:
Gary McMaster (SFC, USA, Ret.), Chairman of the Post Museum
Dirk Hale (SFC, USA, Ret.), First Vice Chairman and Treasurer
Joan Hussey, Second Vice Chairman
Don Avery, Secretary
Douglas Baird (COL, USA, Ret.), Advisor
Mark Hale, Construction Volunteer
Ron Hysell, Vehicle Maintenance Volunteer
And all those others past, present, and future who have volunteered or financially supported the museum.
To the Camp Roberts Post Management and Leadership, also our gratitude.
Post Commander, COL Nicole M. Balliet
CSM James E. Norris, Post Command Sergeant Major
To the Unit members of the Museum Support Unit-Central California past and present, without which this
newsletter would never have happened:
CW4 Henry L. Leon
SSG Gary DuBois
SGT Joyce Perkins
SGT Terrence Rogan
SGT Jason Orton
PFC Coy Briscoe
PFC Katrina Sheen
PFC Patrick Sheen
SFC Philip Grenado (Ret.)
SSG Carl Shultz (Ret.)
SFC Eddie Colis, (Ret.), Former First Sergeant (Deceased)
Special thanks to SGM Carlos Gama for his assistance with editing and formatting.
The Camp Roberts Reveille is dedicated to the memory of SFC Eddie Colis, who served as the First Sergeant of the 213th Military
History Detachment (Deployable). He was called to his final formation on January 29, 2015 after over 20 years of service. He was
the very first NCO to hold the position in the newly created unit and his dedication continues to inspire today. HOOAH!
Be sure to check out future installments of the Camp Roberts Reveille Newsletter.
This issue and past issues can also be found online at: https://www.scribd.com/doc/300172005/Camp-Roberts-Reveille-Winter-2016.
For best viewing, download the document from the website to your computer. The preview version on the website may not contain all
the photographs.
EMAIL ADDRESS. To receive by email this newsletter, send an email to CampRobertsReveille@hotmail.com with subscribe in
the subject line. To unsubscribe repeat the same process with unsubscribe in the subject line. Please update the SPAM filter on
your email account. If you need to update the email address your subscription is sent to, please let us know at our email address,
CampRobertsReveille@hotmail.com.
For any input or comments, contact CW4 H. L. Leon at hhc20th@msn.com. All messages will be answered. Suggestions or
submissions for future article consideration are welcome. For mail correspondence: 1895 Ironwood Dr. Santa Maria, CA 93455

HENRY L. LEON
CW4 (CA), CSMR
Commanding
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of any
agency of the United States Government, the State of California, the National Guard, the California State Military Reserve, the California Military
Heritage Command, the Museum Support Unit-Central California, Camp Roberts, or the Camp Roberts Historical Museum.

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