Matthew Shafer, geologist for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Huntington District, was recently featured in news article on DVIDS for his work while serving in the West Virginia National Guard for Exercise Combined Resolve 24-2 in Germany.
The article highlighted the value of Shafer’s nearly four years of experience at USACE that he brought to the bi-annual exercise. The knowledge and leadership qualities Shafer honed throughout his time with the WV National Guard and USACE helped him provide much needed expertise to the engineering aspect of the mission.
Here is a brief excerpt from the article:
“On the civilian side, I’m a geologist with the Army Corps of Engineers, located in the Huntington area,” said Shafer. “We do things like slope stability analysis if we’re repairing slips or landslides and also work with ground water, primarily dams and levees.”
“A lot of the engineering applications and the soil analysis correlates directly with what we do here (in the Army Guard),” Shafer said.
He explained that the time it will take to dig a trench or berm can be determined through surveying and soil analysis.
“Not every soil is the same and not every rock is the same, so it can be easier or it can be harder.” He said. “But if you have the background to know what you are dealing with, it helps in the planning aspect a lot.”
Shafer’s commander, U.S. Army Capt. Carl Boyles, III, said he felt fortunate to have Shafer, along with the expertise he brings through his civilian job, in his unit.
“He’s a very smart man,” said Boyles of Shafer.
Shafer welcomed both the intellectual and leadership challenges that arose during the two-week rotation with Combined Resolve 24-2. There is always something that can be improved on, no matter how prepared a Soldier is, he said.
“The stresses applied here, good stresses, will help hone my skills not only as a Soldier, but as a leader, which applies directly to my civilian career as a project manager and engineer,” he said. “Being able to coordinate, communicate and lead people is very, very valuable.”
Shafer plans to make a full career out of both his civilian and Army jobs. “To be able to do both is extremely fortunate,” he said with a smile.
The DVIDS article highlighted the fact that this is the first time that a National Guard Engineering unit participated directly in Exercise Combined Resolve 24-2. Shafer led a platoon in the construction of block, fixed, turn and disrupt obstacles, that make it harder for the enemy to traverse the “battlefield” terrain. This effort required planning, problem-solving, communication and leadership. His background, with a degree in geology and a master’s degree in project management, fused perfectly to the engineering aspect of the mission.
Shafer has demonstrated leadership capabilities and a work ethic that are great benefits to our mission. The DVIDS article demonstrates that he not only uses these capabilities to support the Army Corps of Engineers, but he uses them to support our Nation’s military operations. We at the Huntington District view ourselves fortunate to have Matthew on our team. If you wish to view the article in its entirety, it can be found clicking the link HERE.
Photo By 1st Sgt. HollyAnn Nicom | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Matthew Shafer, platoon leader, Horizontal Platoon, 821st Engineer Construction Company, 1092nd Engineer Battalion, 111th Engineer Brigade, West Virginia Army National Guard