310th ESC commanding general Brig. Gen. Vincent B. Barker 1st Qtr, FY16

Photo By Maj. Sean Delpech | 310th ESC commanding general Brig. Gen. Vincent B. Barker  

INDIANAPOLIS, IN, UNITED STATES

05.03.2016

Story by Capt. Sean Delpech 

310th Expeditionary Sustainment Command

Greetings to all,

I would first like to welcome COL Stephen R. Smith as the Commander of the 643rd Regional Support Group, based in Whitehall, Ohio! COL Smith comes to the 643rd RSG from the Chief of Staff position at the 310th ESC, and from a recent tour of active duty mobilization with the 310th ESC at Fort Hood, Texas. He is an absolute professional and leader, and I know he is committed to ensuring the best mentorship for our commanders under the 643rd RSG. I’d also like to thank COL William J. McLaen for his great leadership as he leaves the Commander position at the 643rd RSG. The 643rd has grown by leaps and bounds under COL McLaen, and the Soldiers of the 643rd RSG have always been able to depend on COL McLaen’s leadership, mentoring, and mission focus. I know he will continue his great leadership as he moves to take over as 310th ESC Chief of Staff.

Next I’d like to take a moment to reconnect with what is important – our fellow teammates - Suicide prevention focuses on awareness, education and understanding. Caring and selfless service are ingrained in the Army Values that make up our profession of arms, and we are strong because of those values, yet we constantly have to focus on both our personal and Team Resilience. Despite everything we do, we still have to be prepared to get that call about our Soldier who has taken their own life or attempted to take their own life. Suicide prevention requires all the members of the Team. We can’t have bystanders-we must reach out, listen and car for one another. Be a battle buddy-be that co-worker or Team-member to rely on. Reinforce with your Soldiers and unit that seeking help when needed is a sign of strength, not weakness. Programs such as Strong Bonds, Comprehensive Soldier and Family Fitness, Master Resiliency Training, and the Army Substance Abuse Program promote resiliency, coping skills and relationship education.

As we continue to focus on mission readiness, make time for your families. Find balance between work and family to give yourself the boost to tackle the demands and challenges that come your way. Showing that we care exemplifies the values of the Army Family. Soldiers rarely break down without an outside cause, so help your Team and your Team-members by getting help, or helping your Soldier get at the root cause of what is troubling them. Many times, this can correct no-shows or other problems as well.

I would also like to discuss our expectations for the coming year-where we have been and the goals we need to be striving for as we move through the training cycle. Every day, we find out that the Operational Army Reserve is becoming a little more re-engaged in theatres such as Iraq and Afghanistan. All of our units, the 55th Sust. Bde, 643rd RSG, 38th RSG and 398th FMC have begun successful training exercises this year, beginning with WAREX for the 38th RSG, the 766th TC Bn and the 497th CSSB. We are moving forward with Vibrant Response, and CSTX 2016; exercises with will test our strengths and outline the improvements our units need to focus on.

These exercises are not the end points of the Readiness process. They are the evaluation that provides the assessment to commanders on where their unit is in their Mission Essential Task readiness. The process really begins during Battle Assembly and the unit training meeting where training development and MDMP is conducted. The Readiness process is never really completed, but I cannot overemphasize the importance of taking every opportunity available to strengthen each piece of our overall training and readiness, from weapons qualification to vehicle licensing, field craft, operational planning and low density MOS operations. You, commanders, have the responsibility to ensure that your units are on the path towards Readiness and maintain your deployability when the call comes.

• Date Taken: 05.03.2016
• Date Posted: 05.03.2016 14:52
• Story ID: 197177
• Location: INDIANAPOLIS, IN, US