TOMS RIVER, N.J. –
While social distancing is the new norm for much of America, U.S. Army recruiters in New Jersey have found a way to continue supporting their community from afar, using personal 3D printers to make surgical masks for local first responders.
Sgt. 1st Class Zachary Winburn and Sgt. Charles Muhlbach from the Toms River Recruiting Station have been producing dozens of masks a day. They’ve donated them to medical personnel, local fire and police departments, and commissary employees within the Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst area.
“Even though we’re only using two 3D printers, we’ve produced more than 100 masks,” Winburn said. “Each mask takes us around three hours to print, and we’ve been doing this around the clock. We hope to print 200-300 more.”
The recruiters are using open-source 3D files to make the N95 masks.
Recruiters often give back to their communities, through coaching sports teams, mentoring youth and even substitute teaching. The COVID-19 pandemic has halted much of those activities, but Winburn and Muhlbach knew they could still help in a meaningful way.
“With New Jersey being one of the hardest hit states during the COVID-19 pandemic, the dire need for protective equipment has led my NCOs to spring into action,” said Capt. Phuoc Le, Central Jersey Army Recruiting Company commander. “I am incredibly proud of their efforts to give back to their communities and the hard work they have put into this project.”
To see how the masks are produced and to track their progress, visit the Toms River Recruiting Station’s Instagram page: @ArmyTeam_TR.