29th CAB Soldiers share goals with Lucky 6

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Isolda Reyes | U.S. Army Central Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael Garrett poses with a group of junior enlisted Soldiers from deployed units throughout Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Aug. 10. Garrett’s visit provided an opportunity for Soldiers to meet with the commanding general of USARCENT.(U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Isolda Reyes)  

CAMP BUEHRING, KUWAIT

08.10.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Isolda Reyes 

29th Combat Aviation Brigade

CAMP BUEHRING, Kuwait – U.S. Army Central Commanding General Lt. Gen. Michael X. Garrett met with a group of deployed, junior enlisted Soldiers, including those from the 29th Combat Aviation Brigade, during a luncheon at Camp Buehring, Kuwait, Aug. 10 .

As everyone stood at the position of attention, Garrett went around the room, looked each Soldier in the eyes, and shook their hand for introductions before each sat down.

"I’m having lunch with the best of the best from your brigade, so if you had questioned where you stood with your leadership, you now know,” said Garrett.

Soldiers were given a half hour to talk candidly with the three-star general, where questions ranged from keeping up with personal fitness, to the state of affairs in Iraq since the fall of Mosul, and what was next for USARCENT.

Garrett, who has been in the Army 33 years and has a Ph.D. in psychology, spoke candidly about his father, a command sergeant major, who served for 35 years, as the most successful Soldier he knows.

“I have gained a vast array of knowledge and motivation from the luncheon that we had with Garrett,” said Spc. Kamau Miller, an awards specialist, 29th CAB.

Garrett emphasized the importance of the Army’s reserve component forces. He acknowledged that out of the 30,000 U.S. Forces currently deployed, approximately 60 percent are National Guard and Reserve Soldiers.

"I enjoy spending time with you; you are the future, doing what less than 1 percent of the [United States] is willing to do and you also live a different life in addition to this," said Garrett.

During the meeting, Garrett had each Soldier stand up and tell him what their plans are following their deployment and what they aspire to do.
Garrett also spoke on self-improvement and how important it is for each Soldier to use his or her time here to get better.

"Pick something to get better at and work hard at it while you're here,” Garrett said. "Deployments are opportunities for self-improvement.”

Garrett closed the session by letting each Soldier know that he is always available to listen and he has an open door policy - from commanders to privates - and that if they ever want to send him an email or letter he would answer it.

"I am your three-star general,” said Garrett.

“Lt. Gen. Garrett seemed like he's a very down to earth, intelligent and passionate leader. I'm very fortunate to have had the opportunity to meet him,” said Miller.

Garrett emphasized the Army values and how self-improvement will help them stand out amongst their peers.

"With the right people, the right attitudes, the right resources, there's nothing we can't do,” said Garrett.

The 29th CAB, an Army National Guard brigade, currently supports USARCENT in Operation Spartan Shield with aviation capabilities, logistical support, training, and partnership efforts to improve readiness and advance regional security.

• Date Taken: 08.10.2017
• Date Posted: 08.28.2017 06:12
• Story ID: 246235
• Location: CAMP BUEHRING, KW
• Hometown: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, SC, US