ALEXANDRIA, Va. (USTCNS) --- When Maj. Gen. Kenneth L. Privratsky traveled to several distant Pacific ports this fall - he was in for a surprise.

The commanding general of the Military Traffic Management Command was scheduled to give talks to several chapter meetings of the National Defense Transportation Association.

While giving talks at chapter meetings in Okinawa and Yokohama, Japan, Privratsky discovered several association officers were soldiers with MTMC.

"I had no idea," said Privratsky. "I am truly impressed that some of our soldiers are making this contribution to the international transportation community."

Privratsky was talking about Sgt. Emilio Calzada, of the 835th Transportation Battalion, Okinawa, and Capt. David Preston, of the 836th Transportation Battalion, Yokohama.

Calzada, training NCO of the 835th, is the treasurer of the Okinawa Chapter.

Preston, operations officer of the 836th, is the first vice president of the Honshu Chapter in Yokohama.

When Privratsky addressed the Okinawa Chapter Sept. 22, it was a MTMC event.

Calzada did the introductions.

Beside MTMC's Commanding General, the chapter also heard from Lt. Col. Joyce DiMarco, commander, 835th Transportation Battalion.

Meanwhile, in the Honshu Chapter, Preston was hard at work in a membership drive. .

The drive increased the chapter strength from 16-to-51 - an increase of 319 percent!

"We sold the association for what it is," said Preston, "the professional organization for professional transporters."

Even more members have joined since the membership drive. Currently, the chapter includes 25 military, 13 civilian and 20 corporate members.

The chapter's meetings have a new focus, said Preston.

"Our intent is to visit the facilities of our civilian partners so we can learn from their operations, knowledge and procedures," said Preston.

"The focus has also changed. We now schedule time to discuss logistics issues that exist between military and the civilian industry."

Other 835th NDTA members include: Fred Artis, Master Sgt. Felton Head and Sgt. 1st Class Troy Taft and DiMarco.

Other 836th NDTA members include: Pearson Best, Thomas Brewer, Maj. Bartel Drake, Grady Kay and Lt. Col. Kathi Kreklow. (FROM MILITARY TRAFFIC MANAGEMENT COMMAND PUBLIC AFFAIRS).