Commanders get schooled on Rear D

Photo By Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan | Brad Reed, the physical security inspections instructor, gives a class to soldiers from 4th Infantry Division, who will be part of Rear Detachment commands, April 10, 2013. The two-day Rear Detachment Commanders Course is geared toward soldiers who will be in charge while the rest of the unit deploys. The course offers 16 different classes that help the soldiers get to know what resources they have in order to assist the remaining soldiers and family members of the deployed soldiers.  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

04.10.2013

Story by Staff Sgt. Ruth Pagan 

2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON, Colo. – When a unit deploys, the main focus is usually on the soldiers who are leaving, but the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, is also aiming at making sure the soldiers who stay behind are prepared for the challenges they may face.

The Rear Detachment Commanders Course, held April 10 through 11, and organized by Army Community Service, is designed to prepare Rear Detachment command groups for the different undertakings they may encounter.

Rear Detachment is responsible for taking care of the unit’s deployed and stateside soldiers as well as the family members of those soldiers.

“The course gives classes from 16 different agencies to include; legal, Red Cross and physical security,” said Terry Blansett, ACS mobilization and deployment manager. “Those courses cover A thru Z, anything that could affect the Rear D.”

Although the training is called a commanders course, it is open to commanders, first sergeants, family readiness support assistants, family readiness group leaders and the family readiness liaisons.

“This is for anyone on the Rear Detachment team; if they have a role in leadership or maintenance of the Rear Detachment, they are welcome to come,” Blansett said. “A successful Rear D is all built on education, and this will help them understand what they are going to be facing and most importantly what agencies to go to for assistance.”

All the different classes give the Rear D vital information on the different organizations designed to provide assistance to soldiers and their families.

“We know we’ll be facing challenges, but it becomes easier knowing we have resources,” said Capt. Jon Dyer, commander, Rear D, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Division, 2nd BCT, 4th Inf. Div. “Mainly this is about finding a solution; knowing the different agencies allows us to go to them, which will improve our response to situations that may arise.”

The Rear Detachment Commanders Course is offered to any deploying unit and is available through ACS.

• Date Taken: 04.10.2013
• Date Posted: 04.16.2013 17:42
• Story ID: 105318
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US