During Annual Training at Camp Swift, Bastrop, Texas, the engineers of B Company, 1st Battalion, 6th Brigade of the Texas State Guard teamed up with the Texas Construction and Facilities Management Office (CFMO) to tackle a series of high-priority maintenance and construction tasks. Operating under the motto “Essayons!” (“Let us build!”), these citizen-soldiers brought critical facilities back to peak readiness while honing their engineering skills in a real-world environment.
The CFMO’s mission is to oversee the construction, repairs, and maintenance of all Texas Army National Guard facilities and installations, serving as the principal advisor to the Texas Adjutant General on matters of real property, construction, and environmental management. By partnering with CFMO representative Alan Donaldson, the 6th Brigade engineers gained exposure to the full spectrum of military construction requirements, from planning and environmental considerations to hands-on execution of infrastructure projects.
Over the four-day training period, the soldiers of B Company completed the following projects, collectively representing an estimated $6,250 in labor value:
- Demolition and removal of built-in shelving in storage areas to accommodate new equipment layouts.
- Installation of wall insulation to improve energy efficiency in administrative buildings.
- Construction of a French drain around a supply storage facility to prevent flooding and protect critical supplies.
- Trimming of dead tree limbs over essential structures, followed by debris removal, to mitigate storm damage risks.
- Caulking and painting of newly installed exterior siding on a latrine, extending its service life and enhancing hygiene facilities.
- Creation and installation of range lane markers for the National Guard’s small-arms qualification range, directly supporting marksmanship training and safety.
These efforts not only reinforced the engineers’ technical proficiencies—ranging from demolition techniques and drainage design to carpentry and logistical planning—but also delivered tangible benefits to the broader military community. For the Texas State Guard, such projects strengthen internal capabilities and foster esprit de corps; the National Guard gains improved training infrastructure; and the State of Texas realizes significant cost savings by leveraging volunteer labor to maintain and upgrade its installations.
As this year’s Annual Training draws to a close, every brigade of the Texas State Guard has been undergoing similarly intense and grueling exercises to prepare for the upcoming hurricane season. Rigorous drills in emergency communications, search and rescue, medical triage, and infrastructure repair ensure that these citizen-soldiers stand ready to respond when disaster strikes. By simulating the challenges posed by severe weather, the Guard sharpens its ability to restore critical services, protect lives, and support communities across the state when they need it most.
Camp Swift, Bastrop TX — April 24–27, 2025
Essayons! During this year’s Annual Training, the 6th Brigade Engineers of B Company, 1st Battalion, completed high-priority facility maintenance projects in partnership with CFMO representative Alan Donaldson at Camp Swift.
Projects included:
• Demolition and removal of built-in shelving
• Wall insulation installation
• Construction of a French drain for a supply storage building
• Trimming of dead tree limbs over critical structures and debris removal
• Caulking and painting of newly installed exterior siding on a latrine
• Creation and installation of range lane markers for the National Guard
Based on the scope of work, B Company’s contributions are estimated to total approximately $6,250 in labor value during the 2025 Annual Training.
(Report by 1st Lt. Michael Ritchie, 1BN, 6BDE Engineers)
Source: Texas State Guard – Texas CFMO
