MEDCOM CSM visits JBLM, talks Performance Triad

20th Public Affairs Detachment
Story by Staff Sgt. Christopher Klutts

Date: 11.19.2013
Posted: 11.19.2013 18:38
News ID: 117038
MEDCOM CSM visits JBLM, talks Performance Triad

JOINT BASE LEWIS MCCHORD, Wash. - The highest ranking enlisted member of U.S. Army Medical Command visited soldiers at Joint Base-Lewis McChord, Nov. 18-19.

“I come out and I try to put a face to the messages we send out via social media and email,” said Command Sgt. Maj. Donna A. Brock, who is also the senior enlisted adviser to the surgeon general.

Brock visited during the 11th week of the Performance Triad Pilot Program at JBLM. The Performance Triad is a holistic approach to personal well-being that incorporates safe physical activity and sound nutritional practices with quality sleep. JBLM is one of three installations to participate in the pilot which will continue through February 2014.

The program is designed to bridge the gap between appointments with healthcare providers by encouraging healthy decisions and habits.

“It’s the life space, where our soldiers, their families and our retirees live, where they work and where they play. We want to make sure we get folks to think about the choices they make in life, and what it does for their health and well-being,” Brock said.

Having visited installations throughout the Army, Brock found that some experienced soldiers wished a program like the Performance Triad would have been in place earlier. She believes that when armed with the proper information, people will make their health a priority.

“I like to call it living the good life. Trying to be healthy and happy,” she said. “In a nutshell, it’s about health, it’s about getting the information out, and it’s about trying to motivate people to really pick up and take charge of their own well-being and healthcare.”

Brock also spoke with enlisted soldiers in the medical field about how changes being made at the U.S. Army Medical Department Center and School could impact their day-to-day operations and careers. She visited with medical personnel from I Corps, 7th Infantry Division, Warrior Transition Battalion – Task Force Phoenix and Madigan Army Medical Center.

"We are always pleased to show Madigan and the WTB to Command Sgt. Maj. Brock. We are doing a lot of good work here and it is important for our soldiers and NCOs to hear directly from her," said Command Sgt. Maj. Matthew T. Brady, Madigan command sergeant major.

Brock also wanted to see what medical duties enlisted service members perform in garrison. Enlisted medical personnel gain valuable experience by providing care to soldiers in combat zones. She wanted to find out if medics were still putting their lifesaving skills to the test.

“We’ve come a long way. It used to be that garrison and the field were completely different. We’ve really cross-leveled that. We have a ways to go, but we’re still working at it,” she said.

Brock also wanted to impart the gratitude that her and the surgeon general have for members of the U.S. Army medical community.

“I want our soldiers and our family members to know that we truly care about them. In today’s day and age, we work so hard at what we do,” she said.

Brock added that the current political atmosphere and budget constraints can be stressful for leaders. Soldiers and leaders need to know they are not alone during periods of uncertainty.

“I just want them to understand that I am here if they need me,” she said. “We need to make sure our leaders are taking care of themselves too.”

For more information on the Performance Triad and what is new in the medical community, visit www.armymedicine.mil.