Photo By Master Sgt. Kap Kim | Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the Army chief of staff, administers the Oath of Enlistment...... read more read more
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. - Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the U.S. Army’s chief of staff, met with Fort Drum troops and Families during his visit Tuesday to New York’s North Country.
His visit, during the middle of 10th Mountain Division’s Mountainfest, gave him an opportunity to meet with Gold Star Families as Fort Drum honored those lost during last year’s deployment to Afghanistan, at the Annual Remembrance Ceremony at Memorial Park across from the post headquarters.
“It’s important for us to remember all those who sacrificed so much, and all of those who did it because they had love of country, love of their units and love of their fellow Soldiers and some had to give the ultimate sacrifice,” he said. “We understand the potential and the potential risks associated with everything we do, but because of that, it’s absolutely essential that we never forget those who have given their lives for this great nation.”
Later, he meet with a room full of junior Soldiers during a town hall at the Commons to brief current, global operations, the Army’s future and to allow for them to ask him questions ranging from pay and benefits to ongoing global threats.
“As I look out there today, there are several things that are happening around the world,” he said during his opening remarks. “And this is, I’ll tell you, the most uncertain I’ve seen it in terms of what we think is happening -- what we think the threats are around the world.”
Odierno spoke about the specific “uncertainties” around the globe and the “challenges” that the U.S. military might have to face, and the importance of training here at home for decisive action readiness in high-end, combat operations.
“We need to be prepared, if necessary, to respond because we don’t know when that will happen,” he said. “So it’s important for us to ensure that we are prepared and ready; so we have to build readiness.”
Along with that, Odierno spoke about preparing for the future within the budget and learning to best “balancing” everything they must while meeting their responsibilities, and told the troops that there are three things that he wakes up to every morning. He said he wants to make sure that he doesn’t send anyone into harm’s way untrained, that the Army can maintain a force that is capable, has the right capacity and is ready during the downsizing, and what the Army may look like in the future
All in all, he said he believes the Army is in “good shape.”
“Yes, we have challenges, but I think we’ll be able to meet those challenges and we are the most respected army in the world … hands down – not even close, and it’s up to you to help us to sustain that,” he said to looking at the Army’s future leaders in the audience. “That’s what I ask you to do: sustain the fact that everybody knows today and will know in the future that this is the best and more importantly most respected army in the world.”
Before taking questions from Soldiers, he closed by challenging Soldiers to remain dedicated and professional for the future.
“We need Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers who are dedicated and understand the competence, commitment and character that we need in order to do these missions,” he said.
Odierno concluded his visit by administering the Oath of Enlistment for 10 Fort Drum Soldiers who reenlisted and thanked them for their commitment to the Army. The 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum Retention Office reenlisted Soldiers representing every Fort Drum command: Sgt. Lukas Kampenhout of 1st Brigade Combat Team, Sgt. Rose Beil of 2nd BCT, Spc. Bilal Boyce of 91st Military Police Battalion, Sgt. Ashley Espinoza of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, Spc. Clarice Diggs of the 10th Mountain Division Sustainment Brigade, Staff Sgt. Jason Hughes of Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, Spc. Rebekah Villarreal of the 63rd Ordnance Battalion (Explosive Ordnance Disposal), Spc. Jeremy Lofing of the Division Artillery, Staff Sgt. Daniel Shea of Fort Drum Medial Activity, and Staff Sgt. Amber McClenny of the 3rd Battalion, 85th Mountain Infantry Battalion (Warrior Transition).
| Date Taken: | 06.23.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 06.23.2015 20:55 |
| Story ID: | 167879 |
| Location: | FORT DRUM, NY, US |
| Web Views: | 82 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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