Since 9-11 we have demonstrated the versatility of our Soldiers to execute missions far beyond the IET and ROTC missions for which we are structured.
In regard to our missions, we have been working closely with the US Army Training and Doctrine Command, Deputy Commanding General for Initial Military Training, Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, to expand the training base by employing our units in accordance with the ARFORGEN concept of mobilizing companies for up to one year every five. Now, instead of using virtually all of our training capability each year by executing Echo company missions using annual training, during years one through four of the ARFORGEN cycle we now have the ability for our Soldiers to utilize annual training to attend NCOES, execute individual annual training support to active component basic training units, support the ROTC Leadership Development Assessment Course at Fort Lewis, Wash. and the Leaders Training Course at Fort Knox, Ky, augment regional training center operations and participate in security assistance missions abroad.
Since 9-11 we have demonstrated the versatility of our Soldiers to execute missions far beyond the IET and ROTC missions for which we are structured. We have demonstrated time and again that “training is our middle name” and our professional cadre can train Soldiers in virtually any environment.
We recently conducted a strategic planning conference in which we articulated our mission, vision and shared values as a guide to the future. As adopted “Our vision as the premiere US Army Reserve training organization is to provide both operational and strategic capabilities to the US Army as the force provider of units employed in accordance with ARFORGEN in support of Initial Military Training and as required, units and Soldiers to train, advise and assist any service, multi-component, inter-agency or multi-national organization in both CONUS training missions or OCONUS stability operations in the full spectrum environment.” That may be a mouthful, but it is a comprehensive acknowledgment of our demonstrated capabilities and way ahead.
I would like to highlight some of our ongoing contributions to security assistance missions throughout the world. I have had the privilege during my command tenure to visit our troops engaged in security assistance training missions in Iraq, Afghanistan and Saudi Arabia.
We have had an enduring presence in Afghanistan for the past seven years where Soldiers of the 95th Training Division (IET) have been key to the establishment and expansion of the Afghan National Army’s Drill Sergeant School and BCT training operations. The Afghan National Army mission continues to be critical as the need to increase the size of Afghan security forces is the centerpiece to our strategy to prevail over extremists and establish stability in Afghanistan.
In a continuation of the original Multi-National Security Transition Team-Iraq (MNSTC-I) mission begun by the 98th Training Division (IET) Soldiers of the 108th continue to advise and mentor at the Iraqi military school in Taji and other Regional Training Centers. In January Command Sgt. Major Payne and I had the pleasure of meeting with some of these Soldiers at Camp Victory, Iraq as they were marshalling to return home after a year long deployment and completing a highly successful mission. We also had the opportunity to visit with some of their replacements at the NCO Academy, Engineer School at Camp Taji, as well.
Finally, during the last year we have deployed a team of advisors to Saudi Arabia under the command of Brig. Gen. Robert Catalanotti to establish the Office of Program Management-MOI Facilities Security Forces. I had the pleasure to visit these Soldiers in December and see first hand their significant contributions to world security and stability.
These security assistance missions are ample proofs-of-principle of our capability to expand and systematize our future engagements throughout the world in support of our nation’s priority defense objectives as articulated in the 2010 Quadrennial Defense Review to prevent and deter conflict by fostering regional stability and building partner capacity.
None of these mission accomplishments would be possible without the support of our Soldiers by their families and employers. I would ask that each of our Soldiers to take the time to explain the criticality of our ongoing missions, both stateside and overseas, and thank our families and employers for their sacrifices as our enablers. As an update to our Family support program, I want to thank all of you for ensuring our Fort Family program and community connections continue to set the bar for the US Army Reserve, as demonstrated by our being selected for our 5th DOD Family Readiness award. Keep up the great work and I will see you on the objective! HOOAH!