VING, PEC conduct unit readiness training

Photo By Sgt. Juanita Philip | Staff Sgt. Michael Lynch, an instructor out of the National Guard Professional Education Center in Arkansas, and Sgt. Jevon Williams,the course facilitator go over best ways to compile information for the quarterly Unit Status Reports, Apr. 26. More than 20 select Virgin Islands National Guard members conducted a four-day training at the Estate Bethlehem Military Compound, St. Croix on how to better communicate their unit’s status and mission capabilities.  

UNITED STATES

04.25.2018

Story by Sgt. Juanita Philip 

Virgin Islands National Guard, 51st Public Affairs Detachment

VIRGIN ISLANDS— Virgin Islands National Guard members conducted a four-day training at the Estate Bethlehem Military Compound, St. Croix on how to better communicate their unit’s status and mission capabilities.

A class of more than 20 Army personnel, who represented units from St. Thomas and St. Croix, attended the course where they learned more effective ways on how to compile information for their Unit Status Reports.

“The class learned about completing a Commander’s Unit Status Report by utilizing standalone software,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Lynch, an instructor out of the National Guard Professional Education Center in Arkansas.

A USR is a single source document for obtaining an assessment of Army units regarding their personnel, training, equipment and readiness. It’s a unit’s way to determine and communicate their status and mission capabilities on a quarterly basis.

“NetUSR which we call objective will pull from the Digital Training Management System DTMS,” said Col. Ivan Udell, deputy chief of staff operations. “That would give a more objective and honest look at where a commander stands with their readiness.”

The NetUSR’s purpose is to measure the status of resources and training in a unit at a specific point in time. “We walked the class through the report from A to Z, so they know how to show someone who has never seen the unit what it looks like if they had to deploy,” said Lynch.

Many of the class commented that they had never learned the proper way to compile the reports and they were grateful that the instructors provided operating instructions instead of PowerPoint presentations for the four days.

“Staff Sgt. Lynch’s instructions were second to none, he was patient, he kept the class engaged and he was phenomenal,” said Master Sgt. Pete Stapleton, 104th Troop Command operations sergeant major.

“He hit the high points on the PowerPoint slides, then he got right into the interaction with the program,” said Stapleton. “He articulated what each tab does for the program and shows us step-by-step the practical use.” Lynch also happens to be a course manager for the NetUSR training.

“What I would convey to the commanders is that this is not just about meeting a new Army requirement in reporting,” said Udell. “It’s really about doing a better job to make soldiers ready for their mission.”

The outcome of the course was to ensure that the reporting process shows a more honest snapshot of the unit. “It helps to make decisions on deployments and improve shortfalls,” said Lynch. “It’s one of the most important documents a commander can produce to help their unit.”

• Date Taken: 04.25.2018
• Date Posted: 05.05.2018 17:35
• Story ID: 275861
• Location: US
• Hometown: LITTLE ROCK, AR, US
• Hometown: ST. CROIX, VI