Photo By Staff Sgt. Carolyn Hawkins | Command Sgt. Maj. Loriann E. Schlafer and Command Sgt. Maj. Brian J. Schlatter cut the...... read more read more
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FOREST PARK, Ill. – Command Sgt. Maj. Brian J. Schlatter assumed the responsibilities of command sergeant major of the 318th Press Camp Headquarters, during a change of responsibility ceremony held Sept. 12.
Schlatter replaces Command Sgt. Maj. Loriann E. Schlafer, who served as the command sergeant major of the 318th PCH for the past three years.
“It has been a phenomenal experience,” says Schlafer. “It’s always interesting to see how Public Affairs interacts with other military services, and I think a mission to Korea was probably the most fulfilling as far as seeing the public affairs that the 318th does.”
“Public Affairs, as a whole, has been an interesting adventure,” says Schlafer. With the 318th, they have been the unit that it seems like the others have kind of pushed aside, and Schlafer says she feels like she’s brought them back out of the cupboards, brushed off the dust, and moved them forward to where they are glowing out there for everyone to see.
Schlafer says some of her favorite moments with the unit include the no-pay auction while cleaning out the garage and the Korea mission in 2014.
“The Korea mission and watching the professionals that the 318th has, both in Daegu and up north, do their jobs with such confidence, and then be able to see on DVIDS exactly what they’ve done,” says Schlafer.
“I’ve only worked with CSM Schlafer for a short time,” says Capt. Darrell Melrose, the 318th Press Camp Headquarters executive officer, “but she’s had a great impact on me and my leadership style and I’ll take those things forward with me.”
He also says he thinks Schlatter will be an exceptional asset to the unit.
The current command sergeant major, Schlatter, has several years of experience as a drill sergeant and several more years as an instructor, then a first sergeant, at the drill sergeant academy. He says this has given him an opportunity to work with a variety of personalities and different aspects of people.
Schlatter looks forward to learning more about Public Affairs.
I’m looking forward to learning a brand new field and seeing how public affairs can shape the future of the military based on what they perceive, says Schlatter.
Schlafer says her goals are to continue training young soldiers about the history of the military, the future, to have fun and to enjoy the military life.
Both command sergeants major have advice for Soldiers who want to make the Army their lifelong career and someday become a sergeant major.
“Your word is your honor,” says Schlafer.
“Communicate what you know should be communicated,” she continues. Through the years, she says she has tried to practice what she taught at the leadership courses. “We practice what we learn in those courses, and remember that Soldiers have feelings. It’s OK if they have an issue, we may have to chew on them for that issue, but you also have to take the time and help them fix it. Show them how to fix it, to do it for themselves, and then spot check to make sure they are continuing in the right direction.”
“Be willing to put in extra hours. Always be a professional. Set the example. When in doubt, and in the absence of leadership, always take command and just be willing to step forward,” says Schlatter.
“I have never been prouder, buttons bursting, with the 318th,” says Schlafer. “They have come leaps and bounds. I know with the upcoming deployment, and pretty much a whole new command team coming in over the last seven months, they’re just going to do bigger and better things. I want them to reach for the stars, continue their enthusiasm, and continue to believe in themselves.”
| Date Taken: | 09.12.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 10.13.2015 20:02 |
| Story ID: | 175922 |
| Location: | FOREST PARK, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 104 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 318th PCH hosts change of responsibility ceremony, by SSG Carolyn Hawkins, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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