We wish to congratulate our own Brig. Gen. Arlen Ray Royalty, who was promoted at the 108th Commander’s Conference on Sunday, April 17th in one of the most unique promotion ceremonies that I have ever taken part in. A day earlier, Ray became the commander of the 95th Training Division at Ft. Sill, Okla.
There is a lot of new construction going on around the Command. The new U.S. Army Drill Sergeant School at Ft. Jackson, S.C. had its ribbon-cutting ceremony on February 23rd. The consolidated school, which has been in the works for the past year, has active and reserve instructors and staff. It features 60,000 square feet of “smart classrooms,” which use cutting-edge technology to enhance the 10-week training of 600 drill sergeant candidates.
The 104th Training Division (LT) celebrated the grand opening of their new Armed Forces Reserve Center at the Joint Base Lewis McChord, Wash. on Saturday, April 9. The facility was dedicated in memory of Staff Sgt. Coby G. Schwab, a U.S. Army Reserve Soldier and former member of JBLM’s 3rd Stryker Brigade. The 95th Training Division also had a ribbon cutting ceremony for their new Armed Forces Reserve Center located at Ft. Sill, Okla. on Friday, April 15th. A blustery day but a great event attended by the Governor of the State. The 98th Training Division is still on track to move their training center from Rochester, N.Y. to Fort Benning, Ga. in 2012/2013 timeframe.
There is a new Chief of Staff of the Army that many of you know about. Gen. Martin Dempsey assumed the role as the 37th Chief of Staff from Gen. George Casey. Dempsey steps in to this position at a particularly tenuous time, as the Nation looks to cut another $400 billion from the defense budget. As the former TRADOC Commander, Dempsey is no stranger to us.
His priorities will be:
- The Nation
- The joint fight
- The profession
- The Army family
- Leader development
- Mission command
- The squad
- The human dimension and finally
- 21st-century training.
Dempsey will set the course of the Army, Army Reserve and National Guard during a very challenging time where we will continue to have increasing responsibilities and diminishing resources.
I want to tell all of you how very proud I am of the soldiers of the 108th Training Command.
As I travel around with Command Sgt. Maj. Joe Payne, I am constantly amazed at what you do, how well you do it, and the sacrifices you make to be part of this team. From the drill sergeants, the candidates, the staff, and all those who wear this uniform, you are the reason that the Army of this Republic is respected the world over. Thank you for what you do.
Victory starts here!