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JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. – In a joint effort between I Corps and the U.S. Army Reserve, a Main Command Post-Operational Detachment was formally activated during a ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, May 17.
Maj. Gen. Patrick Reinert, 88th Regional Support commanding general, attended the event and spoke about the MCP-OD’s importance and the role of the U.S. Army Reserve in its mission.
“The United States Army Reserve is the Army’s sole, dedicated Federal Reserve Force, providing operational capability and strategic depth to the total Army and the Joint Force in support of U.S. national security interests and Army commitments worldwide,” said Reinert.
“Similarly, the mission of the MCP-OD is to provide increased capacity to the I Corps main command post, and Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, providing expandability and increased capability for the Corps HQ in support of forward deployment and extended operations.”
Col. Todd Jones, a member of the I Corps Army Reserve Engagement Team which assisted in the MCP-OD creation, explained the ARET mission.
“ARETs are smaller elements that help integrate Army Reserve capabilities in Combatant Command- and Corps-level plans across warfighting functions,” Jones said. “These teams address long-term opportunities for the Army Reserve to support Combatant Commanders, facilitate unit and individual training, and provide a reach-back conduit to CONUS-based capabilities,” continued Jones.
Jones went on to explain the 88th RSC’s role in standing up the I Corps MCP-OD.
“The 88th was instrumental in establishing administrative infrastructure to support MCP-OD Soldiers,” Jones stated, “including getting full time support established and advertising command through USAR Centralized Selection List process.”
Jones also explained the continued role of the 88th RSC in the MCP-OD.
“The 88th will perform an ADCON role in the functioning of the MCP-OD,” Jones said “ensuring the detachment is manned, equipped, and resourced for effective integration into I Corps. Effective integration is how and where the training piece happens.”
Jones went on to explain how the support from the 88th has allowed MCP-OD to effectively begin manning the new detachment, while simultaneously planning how to leverage capability in support of I Corps.
“This is a unique partnership that is new to the Army, the benefit to the Army Reserve as a result of joining forces with I Corps in this partnership is immense,” Jones said.
“It gives USAR Soldiers, across a variety of grades and MOS's, the opportunity to work in a high OPTEMPO Corps HQ, executing ongoing ‘shaping’ operations in the Pacific AOR, while maintaining readiness for global employment as needed.”
Reinert expressed his full confidence in the Army Reserve Soldiers and their commitment to the I Corps MCP-OD mission and addressed their need for support.
“As Reserve Soldiers balance between family commitments, military duties, and civilian employers, support is crucial,” Reinert said. “These Soldiers will bring a variety of skills to the I Corps team that go well beyond their grade and military occupational specialty,” continued Reinert. “Because of this balance between civilian and military careers, we owe our Soldiers as much lead time and predictability as possible in order to retain these great Americans, and keep their employers and families actively engaged in the defense of the Nation,” said Reinert.
Jones also expressed the confidence I Corps has in the Reserve Soldiers.
“I believe this will be successful because it will give the headquarters a ‘bench’ of qualified Reserve Component personnel to pull from when needed,” Jones said, “either for training and exercises, or for future deployment, which will help backstop the gaps the HQ often experiences due to high OPTEMPO and personnel turnover.”
Reinert ended his remarks at the MCP-OD activation ceremony with a commitment of service and excellence from the 88th RSC.
“I commit to you our focused efforts in manning, equipping, and training this new detachment in support of I Corps headquarters, ensuring they are ready for future deployment as integrated members of the I Corps Team,” Reinert said.
Reinert continued, “Lt. Col. Erik Flint, as the MCP-OD commander, will be laser focused on ensuring our Soldiers are cared for, integrated effectively, and ready to answer the call for America with America’s Corps.”
“We’re excited to be part of the I Corps Team and looking forward to serving with you,” said Reinert.
Photo Caption: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Erik Flint uncases the colors for the Main Command Post Operations Detachment (MCP-OD) on May 17, 2017, at Joint Base Lewis-McChord. (U.S. Army photo by SPC Brittany Woolbright)
| Date Taken: | 05.24.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 05.24.2017 11:53 |
| Story ID: | 235073 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 275 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, 88th RSC intrumental in activation and mission of I Corps MCP-OD at JBLM, by Catherine Carroll, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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