By Janecze Wright
Fort Hood Public Affairs
FORT HOOD, Texas — The installation is putting the brakes on costly oil changes with a hands-on approach that puts participants in the driver’s seat when it comes to vehicle maintenance.
The Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation and the Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers program partnered with the Association of the United States Army for the “Life Skills Training: How to Change Your Oil” event Aug. 20 at Sprocket Auto Crafts.
The class is designed to empower participants with the knowledge and confidence to perform one of the most essential car maintenance tasks: the oil change.
“We are teaching life skills,” said Daniel Dailey, retired sergeant major of the Army and vice president for AUSA Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier Programs. “They actually change their own oil, and we teach them how to do it, walk them through it in order to build a life skill and save some money.”
Participants were given an introductory orientation before going out into the bay to roll up their sleeves and get started.
With step-by step guidance from Dailey, Sprocket professionals and BOSS Soldiers with automotive expertise, participants were given a tour of the bay, a description of the equipment needed for the task, then versed on how to operate the vehicle lift and properly drain and change the oil before getting hands-on with the process.
“I am very confused but excited to learn,” expressed military spouse Calla Blalock. “This is typically like a male dominated thing, so it’s cool to break into this. I’m already learning things, so it’s pretty cool.”
Dailey helped Calla and her spouse Cpl. Jeremiah Blalock, 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, use the jack to properly lift their vehicle, position the oil pan and drain the oil from their vehicle. Dailey also visited each bay to offer assistance and advice.
“We’re trying to enhance Soldiers’ lives by making them better equipped to take care of themselves and save them some money and support our local DFMWR,” he said. “When you can provide services like this to our service members and their families, it just makes Army life a little bit better.”
