FORT KNOX, Ky. – U.S. Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Leslie Purser, commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. Rocci DeRezza, command sergeant major, 108th Training Command (Initial Entry Training), visited Soldiers from their subordinate units supporting Cadet Summer Training (CST) at Fort Knox. Purser and DeRezza spent two days visiting the various training sites 108th TC Soldiers operate at CST.
The visiting command team observed training and interacted with Soldiers and cadets at the Land Navigation Course, First Aid Course, Team Development Course, Army Physical Fitness Test and Rappel Tower/ Confidence Course. Throughout the summer, the USAR will provide approximately 2,000 Soldiers as cadre or support elements for CST.
The 108th Training Command’s mission is to provide professionally-trained and ready drill sergeants, instructors, leader trainers, and command and control expertise to conduct Initial Military Training and Foreign Military Training.
Although supporting future-officer training is an enduring mission for this unit, changes were made from previous years. This is the first year both Leader Development and Assessment Course, previously held at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, and Leaders Training Course, are being held together at Fort Knox.
Due to the recent changes and expansion of the mission, the command team wanted to ensure their Soldiers were taken care of and had the necessary support. They explored best practices to improve the processes and conditions for coming years aimed at maximizing success in training the cadets. Both the general and the command sergeant major spoke with individual Soldiers throughout their visit as well as held open group discussion with some of the committees. They emphasized the importance of the USAR Soldiers' role in this mission.
“It’s extremely important that the cadets see an Army NCO in action. It’s vital to the development of these future officers for these Soldiers [cadre] to be here and showcase what we are all about,” said Purser.
Aligning with their parent-command mission, the subordinate units support various missions throughout the year. For CST, which educates and trains college students to be potential officers and leaders in the U.S. Army, units under 108th TC provide U.S. Army Reserve trainers, drill sergeants, and command staff to facilitate the different training events. USAR Soldiers consolidate under Task Force Wolf, which is established in support of CST. The task force is comprised of Soldiers from 108th TC’s subordinate units as well as a few specialty support units outside of the command.
“This is a demanding role and mission. What the Soldiers do here, it’s really appreciated and really important because they are all training the future officers of the Army,” said DeRezza. "The Soldiers we have seen have been nothing but prepared, professional, and confident Leader Trainers."