Photo By Sgt. Erica Earl | Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark Esper visits 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team at the...... read more read more
In the aftermath of a train derailment, a Soldier from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., climbed the back of a tractor trailer and leaped into a railcar dangling from an overpass.
Second Lieutenant Robert McCoy of the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command pulled passengers from under luggage and debris and assessed their conditions. He rescued over 30 people from the derailed cars that hung precariously over the Interstate 5 in the December 2017 Amtrak train derailment in DuPont, Wash.
On Nov. 1, Secretary of the Army Dr. Mark Esper presented McCoy with the Soldier’s Medal during his visit to JBLM. The Soldier’s Medal is the highest peacetime medal awarded in the Army.
Esper, who was visiting JBLM for the first time as secretary, said he wants to see all Soldiers strive to take action and follow McCoy’s example.
“You all are the next greatest generation. You’re the elite one percent that’s defending the other 99 percent, and it really means a lot to me,” Esper said. “I know it means a lot to the Secretary of Defense, and it means a lot to the nation that you’re willing to risk life and limb to defend our way of life.”
Esper’s visit marked the first time a Secretary of the Army has visited the installation since 2013.
During his tour of JBLM, Esper led a physical training session with America’s First Corps Commanding General Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky and senior leaders, visited the I Corps and 7th Infantry Division Headquarters to discuss mission readiness and recognize Soldiers, and visited the 2-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team training site to review their urban assault training.
While walking through the mock city used for simulations, Esper emphasized the need for modernization of the Army and constant improvement.
“I want a modernized army with the best talent America produces that can ensure we can deploy, fight and win in high intensity conflict in the future,” Esper said. “That’s not where we are now.”
Esper said improvements in equipment and technology can help with technical expertise, and the new Army Combat Fitness Test, which is currently being field tested and is scheduled to be officially implemented in October 2020, will make Soldiers more physically fit operationally.
He also mentioned a need to improve weapons systems, some of which he said were designed in the ‘70s and fielded in the ‘80s.
“It’s time that we make the leap into the next generation of technologies,” Esper said.
When it comes to changes to the Army, Esper said his desire is to see Soldiers stay longer with units and have fewer permanent changes of station moves during their careers.
“If you keep a soldier in a unit for longer than two or three years you get better unit cohesion,” Esper said. “If the spouse is employed in the area, it’s good for the spouse. If the kids are in schools they like, it’s good for the kids and it’s less disruptive to the Army family.”
Esper said Soldier welfare is a priority, and he listed visiting bases to meet service members as a motivating factor in his own career.
He led a town hall meeting on post to answer questions from service members and civilians, including the mayor of Yelm, JW Foster.
Esper said reform starts small, and internally.
“Look at everything you do and ask yourself does it make sense? Does it enable readiness? Can I do things better?” Esper said.
Esper’s visit to JBLM was part of a tour that also included Fort Carson, Colo., and the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif.
| Date Taken: | 11.02.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 11.03.2018 15:59 |
| Story ID: | 298736 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 177 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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