Talley emphasizes recruiting, retention to kick off commander’s conference

Photo By Sgt. Karen Sampson | Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general, U.S. Army Reserve Command, delivers his opening remarks July 21 at the U.S. Army Reserve Command Commander's Conference in Alexandria, Va. The USARC Commander's Conference is an annual opportunity for Army Reserve leaders to discuss matters of mutual interest. (U.S. Army Reserve Photo by Sgt. Karen Sampson/RELEASED)  

ALEXANDRIA, VA, UNITED STATES

07.22.2014

Courtesy Story

U.S. Army Reserve Command

By Sgt. Karen Sampson

ALEXANDRIA, Va. – The Army Reserve needs to prioritize acquiring and keeping talented Soldiers, Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of Army Reserve and commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve Command told leaders here July 21 to kick off the USARC Commander’s Conference.

“We have to strengthen recruiting and retaining,” he said. “We encourage other members of different military branches to bring their experience to the Army Reserve. We have to measure readiness by current unit status reports. The way to achieve this is manning formations.”

Talley said the Army Reserve values the experiences of troops from other services and components.

“I spoke to Marines, Sailors, Airmen and National Guardsmen and expressed they will make excellent Army Reserve Soldiers,” he said. “We want them to come to us with their experience.”

Talley introduced Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Martin E. Dempsey for his keynote address at the conference, which is an annual opportunity for Army Reserve senior leaders to discuss important issues impacting the force.

Talley encouraged his Soldiers and civilians to ask candid questions of Dempsey, Gen. Daniel B. Allyn, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, and Inspector General of the Army Lt. Gen. Peter M. Vangjel.

“We are encouraging frank and honest discussion from our audience and panel regarding readiness and reserve manning capabilities,” Talley said.

Panels also focused on Army Reserve operational strength and leadership development. The first panel consisted of leaders discussing ways to maintain reliable numbers of Soldiers who uphold Army standards and actively participate in their units. One battalion commander said keeping Soldiers in Army Reserve formations requires leadership.

“I find the numbers of unsatisfactory Soldiers decline when we encourage the Soldiers to be part of the team, show support in decisive action and give them a sense of ownership,” said Lt. Col. Sherrell Murray, commander of the 633rd Quartermaster Battalion. “It is the leadership’s responsibility to instill that sense of ownership.”

Command Sgt. Maj. Nagee H. Lundie, the senior enlisted Soldier in the 377th Training Support Command, said units should live up to Soldiers’ expectations of the Army.

“Young Soldiers are impressionable when they join the Army,” he said. “Soldiers have expectations when joining the Army. They want to achieve what the recruiter represents, and more.”

Lundie said it is important for leaders to constantly renew Soldiers’ reasons for serving in the Army Reserve. Motivation sometimes requires reemphasizing why a Soldier joined in the first place, including making them aware of the “benefits of commitment,” he said.

The USARC Commander’s Conference will continue through July 23.

• Date Taken: 07.22.2014
• Date Posted: 07.22.2014 10:57
• Story ID: 136872
• Location: ALEXANDRIA, VA, US