FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas – Staff delegates from Washington D.C. conducted a tour of Army Reserve facilities throughout Central Texas as part of a five day visit within the state, March 27-April 1.
As part of the tour they spent two days receiving briefs and inspecting training facilities belonging to units based in San Antonio, where they learned about the role of the Army Reserve and the mission it conducts throughout the state.
The delegates were comprised of legislative assistants and directors, policy advisors and an immigration and border control security clerk, all of who represented their various U.S. state representatives.
The purpose of the trip was to show the staff delegates how the Army Reserve really works, said Army Reserve Ambassador Olin Brewster, who represented the 63rd Regional Support Command.
“I want to show you how the Army Reserve works on an operational level, rather than a day-to-day level,” Brewster said to the delegates. “What you will see is we have few full timers; the Army Reserve works with few full timers than anyone else.”
“Our percentage is under eight percent of a whole unit that’s comprised of civilians, military technicians, AGR (Active Guard Reserve) and some active duty,” Brewster continued. “I can take you around to look at all these great facilities, but I don’t think that would say a whole lot for what you need to take back to D.C. and all your bosses.”
Brewster said the visit is an excellent way to show what the Army Reserve in Texas is accomplishing.
“We can show you how we operate and how we affect the rest of the Army Reserve and also the world,” he said.
The delegates were also briefed by various leaders of units based at Fort Sam Houston, including the 75th Training Command, Medical Readiness and Training Command and 4th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), whose forward element briefed from Camp Arifjan, Kuwait, where they are currently deployed.
Briefing the group was Maj. Gen. James ‘Boe’ Young, commander, 75th TC, who spoke to the delegates about the mission of his command and some of the issues currently facing the Army Reserve, including downsizing of units.
“The budget drives end strength and you try to make do, but any major cuts severely affect units like ours,” Young said the delegates. “What we would do is figure out how to consolidate. We’ve done it before and we’re doing it now in the 75th.”
From his perspective the 75th TC is a unique command and to have a unit that specializes primarily in training is very important, Young said.
Following the briefs the group were given a tour of Camp Bullis, a training area 16 miles northwest of San Antonio, before concluding their trip with visits to Austin and Laredo, the latter of which they were able to take a night helicopter ride over the border.
The group officially departs for Washington D.C. April 2.
| Date Taken: |
04.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: |
04.01.2016 17:37 |
| Story ID: |
194137 |
| Location: |
SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: |
100 |
| Downloads: |
4 |
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