ARNORTH Commander hosts Retired Leader’s Conference

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Tomora Nance | Brig. Gen. Omar Jones IV, the chief of Army public affairs, discusses current Army public affairs theme, which is ‘Telling the Army Story’ during the Retired Leaders Conference Sept. 8 at the Army Residence Community in San Antonio, Texas. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Tomora Nance, U.S. Army North Public Affairs)  

SAN ANTONIO, TX, UNITED STATES

09.11.2017

Story by Staff Sgt. Tomora Nance 

U.S. Army North

SAN ANTONIO, Texas– It is something many Americans work to obtain. And, after a successful military career, it is viewed by many service members as the ultimate goal of service—retirement. Retirement is defined as an act of terminating obligations from an employment status and ceasing to undertake further work-related obligations. But, what is the next step after retiring for former service members?

Lt. Gen. Jeffrey S. Buchanan, the commander of U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), hosted a Retired Leaders Conference Sept. 8 at the Army Residence Community, here. The conference focused on current operations with a centralized theme of telling the Army story to retired general officers.

“This whole initiative by Lt. Gen. Jeffrey Buchanan to bring in retired [general officers] from this area is a great idea. We can help spread the word and tell the Army story as well as the military story. We are all representatives of our community in some form or fashion. And we’ll be lifetime representatives of the Army – a Soldier for Life,” said retired Maj. Gen Warren Patterson, who retired from the Army eight months ago as the deputy Commanding general and chief of staff at U.S. Army Installation Management Command.

The guest speaker for the conference knew exactly how to help tell the Army story and share his experience with the audience in attendance.

“Most important reason that I’m here today is to support Lt. Gen, Buchanan, as the Army Senior mission commander [for Joint Base Sam Houston] and the Army North commanding general. So much of my job is helping our leaders across the Army tell the Army story; that is our leaders who are on active duty or serve in the Army National Guard and Army Reserves. But, that also includes the Soldier’s for life—the retired Soldiers. And, helping them understand what the Army is doing “Today”... So, they have answers to give to the American public about our Army, and they can continue to tell the story of our Soldiers,” said Brig. Gen. Omar Jones IV, the chief of Army public affairs.

This conference helped bridge the gap between service members of the past with the focus of present-day operations to bring a well-rounded effort to the community.

“It is perspective; it is experience, and it is a tie to our history,” said Jones. “[Military Retirees] are able to share their perspective and experiences to people who may not know that much about the Army. It’s another aspect of the Soldier story.”

For the retirees, the conference helped them further endeavors in the community as if they never stopped serving the military.

“I get the opportunity to stay engaged with the Army. I served for just under 35 years. Serving the Army has been a passion for me, and it continues to be a passion for me; it’s what I know and what I love,” said Patterson. “[This conference] gives me an opportunity to stay engaged and informed. I get to go out and tell the story amongst the civilian population.”

Looking toward the future, Patterson expressed his hopes of attending more conferences.

“I hope to attend more of these because it’s my little way of staying informed, so I can help garner resources and support for our military.”

• Date Taken: 09.11.2017
• Date Posted: 09.11.2017 15:42
• Story ID: 247807
• Location: SAN ANTONIO, TX, US