Reserve panel visit highlights Soldiers' concerns

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

10.27.2009

Story by Spc. Ruth McClary 

30th Armored Brigade Combat Team

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BAGHDAD, Iraq — The North Carolina Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William E. Ingram, Jr., together with a panel of government officials, met with nearly 50 Old Hickory Soldiers for a town hall meeting to discuss reserve retention at Forward Operating Base Falcon, Oct. 27.

Dennis McCarthy, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs, addressed Soldiers before opening the floor to questions and comments about the deployment process, benefits and suggestions on activating reserve components every five years for national defense missions.

"The government spent a lot of money to send us here to find out what's on the Soldiers' minds," said McCarthy. "You are the best reserve component this country has ever had. This is the best it's ever been; how do we continue to get good use of you."

The group traveled to several locations throughout Iraq, addressing similar concerns from other Soldiers.

In attendance were Thomas Lamont, the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs; John Newman, Defense Assistant Secretary of the Army for Readiness and Reserve Affairs; and Command Sgt. Maj. John Gripe, Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Assistant Secretary of Defense.

The panel also included North Carolina Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Boyles; Georgia Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. William Nesbitt; and Georgia Command Sgt. Maj. James Nelson. The 30th Heavy Brigade Combat Team Commander, Col. Gregory Lusk, and Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. John Swart joined the panel during the FOB Falcon visit.

"We are looking at what kinds of things will reward citizen warriors and what will keep them and their employers interested in supporting the reserves," said McCarthy.

Soldiers raised concerns about issues that affect morale such as involuntary transfers to units for deployment, re-classing deploying Soldiers into jobs out of their specific area of training, problems of the pre-deployment phase and continued healthcare benefits.

"We realize there are Soldiers with medical problems from theater that will last them the rest of their lives," said Lamont.

"We are not where we need to be yet, but the problems you laid out are very accurate and it's something that we are working," said McCarthy.

Staff Sgt. Kyle Ellis, of Salemburg, N.C., asked questions related to reserve Soldier benefits, and Sgt. 1st Class Brian McCarthy, of Fayetteville, N.C., commented on reserve components deploying every five years for national defense missions.

"We gave them some insights they can take back; a ground level viewpoint," said Ellis after the meeting.

"You want to say they wouldn't be out here if they didn't care," said McCarthy. "I think the best time to ask a Soldier about deployment is when he is deployed. That's when the issues are fresh on his mind."

After the town hall meeting, Ingram broke away from the tour to spend time with Old Hickory Soldiers. He met with the brigade leadership to discuss tactical operations, sustainable projects and relationships with Iraqi's in this area of operations, while stressing to the commanders to put the Soldiers needs first.

"I have traveled 72 places in 36 hours," said Ingram. "But it's all good. The more time I get to spend with Soldiers, the better."

After touring the base troop medical center, Ingram left the brigade commanders with some words of wisdom.

"You are doing great work. Take care of your Soldiers. Everything has gone exceptionally well. We are the best we have ever been, more equipped and the most experienced since World War II. The way to maintain this strength is to continue thinking about what we can do five years down the line."