CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Pathfinders of F Company, 5th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, volunteered their time to help refurbish the Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore downtown here Sept. 10.

The Twenty-one Pathfinders, due to the nature of their job, were able to complete the task in half the time it was expected to take.

Working with Habitat for Humanity was a great opportunity, said 1st Lt. Curtis G. Cullen, F Co., 5th Bat., 101st CAB General Support Platoon leader. The Pathfinders role in the deconstruction work was also something that they were able to excel at.

“As far as a community effort, it matches our company’s personality pretty well,” he said. “It’s a great organization, and the work they asked us to do is in line with what we’re good at.”

Staff Sgt. Tyler B. Durden, Direct Support Platoon squad leader, said he enjoyed the project because Habitat for Humanity focuses on supporting the local community and so do the Pathfinders.

“We also want to support our community,” he said. “When we’re gone or deployed, they support us, and while we’re home I think it’s important to return the favor.”

Pfc. Chris T. Sylvester, F Co., 5th Bat., 101st CAB gunner, said the volunteer project allowed him and his fellow Pathfinders to work as a team, which is how they operate.

“It went a lot smoother than I thought it was going to go,” said Sylvester. “We worked as a team and got everything done. That’s how we do everything.”

Sylvester said due to the efficiency with which the Pathfinders completed the project, they had extra time and were able to complete a side project the Habitat for Humanity personnel thought would have to be put off until a later time, which consisted of removing aluminum siding and lights from the back of the building.

The entire project was originally estimated to take three to four hours, and it only took the Pathfinders approximately one hour to complete, said Sylvester.

The Pathfinders related the volunteer work to their mission on the battlefield.

“Just being able to be put in a spot and adapt to it,” said Sylvester. “You never know what you’re going to have with each project.”

This volunteer project also allowed these Soldiers an opportunity to bond, much like they do during deployments.

“It gives you the time to get to know the guys better that you’ll be working with,” said Pfc. William C. Simpson, F Co., 5th Bat., 101st CAB gunner.

This is especially important when blending veteran Soldiers with those straight out of the training environment who are in their first operational assignment and facing their first deployment.

Any time there is an opportunity to work together outside of military-based training such as battle drills, company picnics or volunteer projects are a good team building experience, said Cullen.

“It builds more of a brothership-type aspect or relationship than a boss to Soldier relationship,” he said. “As we get closer to the deployment, we’ll do quite a bit more out of work projects.”

Aside from building relationships with one another, the project also allowed the Pathfinders to give back to the local community.

“The Habitat for Humanity organization has the same values we do in the Army,” he said. “We work together to build bonds and relationships and to help those who can’t help themselves. Working with them is a good match because it allows us to display our shared values.”

Volunteer projects allow the local community to notice the positive impact Soldiers are making in addition to their military service to the country, said Durden. “I want the community to see a better side.”

In addition to building stronger bonds within their unit, it allowed the Pathfinders to build stronger bonds with their community, said Sylvester.

“We all volunteered and we enjoyed what we did,” he said. “I look forward to doing it again in the future.”



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