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NEWS | Oct. 19, 2021

LRC Stuttgart transportation inspector gives voice, reassurance to military families on the move

By Cameron Porter 405th Army Field Support Brigade

Name: Ana Mettler

Job title: Quality Assurance Inspector

Assigned: Quality Assurance Branch, Transportation Division, Logistics Readiness Center Stuttgart, 405th Army Field Support Brigade

Location: Panzer Kaserne, Stuttgart, Germany

Experience: I’ve been working at LRC Stuttgart for a year and two months. Before that, I was a Department of Defense background investigator for two years at Fort Carson, Colorado.

Hometown: Houston, Texas

Family: I have been married for almost 18 years and have three boys, ages 17, 13 and 8.

Q: Can you explain what you do and what you are responsible for at LRC Stuttgart’s Transportation Division?

A: I’m responsible for inspecting outgoing and incoming household goods and unaccompanied baggage shipments. For any shipments going back to the states, my team and I ensure these shipments meet U.S. Department of Agriculture standards, such as barbeque grills and patio furniture – they must be free of dirt and insects. During our inspections, we also make sure the moving companies are following the contract, and we will mediate between the moving companies and the service members so if there are any issues, they are resolved in a timely manner in order to expedite the moving process.

Q: Why is the service your team provides to the Stuttgart military community so important?

A: Moving itself is a very stressful time – not only for the service member but for the spouse and for all the other family members. Us just being there gives them a voice and gives them some reassurance. Part of what we do when we go into people’s homes during their moves includes advising them on what they can do to ensure there are no issues. If their household goods hit customs for a random inspection and there are issues they can be held back for that reason. Personally, I feel that what we provide does help relieve some of the stressors associated with the moving process. We help them to be better aware of the requirements and their responsibilities, which can alleviate a lot of issues and additional stress.

Q: What do you enjoy about your job, and what motivates you?

A: I have a really good team, and we enjoy working with each other and communicating with each other. Also, I’m a military spouse myself so I know how hard the moving process can be. I’ve been there. I enjoy helping them, and this job affords me that opportunity.

LRC-Stuttgart and 405th AFSB: When it comes to providing day-to-day installation services, LRC-Stuttgart directs, manages and coordinates a variety of operations and activities in support of USAG Stuttgart. LRC-Stuttgart reports to the 405th AFSB, which is assigned to U.S. Army Sustainment Command and under the operational control of the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and Africa. The brigade is headquartered in Kaiserslautern, Germany, and provides materiel enterprise support to U.S. Forces throughout Europe and Africa – providing theater sustainment logistics; synchronizing acquisition, logistics and technology; and leveraging U.S. Army Materiel Command’s materiel enterprise to support joint forces. For more information on the 405th AFSB, visit the official website at www.afsbeurope.army.mil and the official Facebook site at www.facebook.com/405thAFSB.