USARCENT commander mentors officers at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait

Photo By Brandon Hubbard | Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Central, speaks to more than 100 officers during a ROCKS, Inc. officer professional development event at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait June 11, 2016. Garrett spoke about the need for officers to maintain physical and profession readiness in themselves, while taking their Soldiers’ development and success as a personal responsibility. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Brandon Hubbard/Released)  

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

06.11.2016

Story by Sgt. Brandon Hubbard 

U.S. Army Central   

CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait – “Leadership is about people,” said Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Central, to the Army officers sitting shoulder-to-shoulder in the small dusty theater at Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, June 11.
Garrett was the guest speaker for the ROCKS, Inc., officer professional development group, which emphasizes mentorship in the officer ranks in the United States military. More than 100 officers from Camp Arifjan attended the event.
"For me, this has been an incredibly personal challenge," Garrett said about being a commanding officer. "This way of life is about human interaction. It’s about family; It’s about the brother and sisterhood – it is personal."
During his career, Garrett has been the U.S. Central Command chief of staff, the United States Army Alaska commanding general and had multiple joint and operational tours, including commanding the 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Garrett reminisced about his time as a young second lieutenant with the 24th Infantry Division.
"What I loved was the 28 guys in that platoon," Garrett said. "I remember my relationship with them. As a second lieutenant, I sorted through my officer responsibilities and how I would manage my relationship. But, for me, it is the same, whether is a mechanized infantry platoon or, today, the 30,000 or 40,000 -- depending how we count -- Soldiers that serve here in the Middle East."
commanding officer. "This way of life is about human interaction. It’s about family; It’s about the brother and sisterhood – it is personal."
During his career, Garrett has been the U.S. Central Command chief of staff, the United States Army Alaska commanding general and had multiple joint and operational tours, including commanding the 3rd Battalion, 325th Infantry (Airborne), 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Garrett reminisced about his time as a young second lieutenant with the 24th Infantry Division.
"What I loved was the 28 guys in that platoon," Garrett said. "I remember my relationship with them. As a second lieutenant, I sorted through my officer responsibilities and how I would manage my relationship. But, for me, it is the same, whether is a mechanized infantry platoon or, today, the 30,000 or 40,000 -- depending how we count -- Soldiers that serve here in the Middle East."
Captain John Curry, member of the Camp Arifjan Rocks, Inc. Interest Group and a Soldier from the 160th Signal Brigade, said the general's message was inspirational to leaders at all levels at the Kuwaiti base because he leads as an example from the front of the formation.
"I think it was a great opportunity to have him come and be that leader," Curry said.
He went on to say that the commanding general could have sent an aid or tasked a staff member to speak to the officers. "But, instead he was that leader."

• Date Taken: 06.11.2016
• Date Posted: 06.16.2016 03:49
• Story ID: 201291
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW