Statewide roadshow presents readiness as a priority for ORNG

Photo By Staff Sgt. Cory Grogan | Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch, Command Senior Enlisted Leader for the Oregon National Guard, addresses leaders in the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team to discuss readiness in the Oregon Army National Guard during a stand-down at Camp Withycombe in Clackamas, Oregon, Sept. 9, 2018. Stand-downs across the state will allow for a pause from training during scheduled drills to emphasize the importance of individual readiness. (National Guard Photo by Sgt. Cory Grogan, 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs)  

CLACKAMAS, OR, UNITED STATES

09.09.2018

Story by Sgt. Cory Grogan 

41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team

Land Component Commander Brig. Gen. William J. Prendergast IV is leading an effort for the Oregon National Guard to increase readiness with stand-downs across Oregon that will take a pause from training to emphasize the importance of individual readiness. On Sept. 9, one of his stops was at Camp Withycombe along with Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Foesch the Senior Enlisted Leader for the Oregon National Guard to visit Soldiers with the 41st Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Prendergast said readiness is the number one goal for the stand-downs, but that what it’s really about is putting people in boots in formations. He said the key is for Soldiers to tell the story of what it means to be in the Oregon National Guard because they’ll go to their friends, tell them about what makes their experiences postitive, and bring their friends into the organization.

“When you talk about how are we going to impact these young Soldiers we need to lead by example, we talk about personnel readiness, but what I want to talk about is your individual readiness because they will see this person doing all this great stuff and say I want to be like that,” Prendergast said.

Foesch also said leading by example is the key.

“Are you doing that for Soldiers? Are they looking up to you? Are they saying hey, I wanna be like that guy or that gal? This supposed to be special and cool and when they joined the guard that was probably at least a factor for most of them. If it’s not special and cool, why stay, why be a part of this?”

The readiness stand-down is an ongoing event that will continue across to encourage best practices in support of individual readiness.
“It’s an honor for us all to serve, and I know we are all proud to be a part of the Oregon National Guard, so let’s share our experiences,” said Prendergast.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2018
• Date Posted: 09.10.2018 19:33
• Story ID: 292126
• Location: CLACKAMAS, OR, US