Idaho’s CASA visits Soldiers at National Training Center

Photo By Spc. Dominic Trujillo | G. Thomas Greco, Idaho’s civilian assistant to the Secretary of the Army, talks to 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team Soldiers during his visit to the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California June 12. Greco volunteers for the position, which acts as a liaison between Idaho's military organizations and the Honorable Dr. Mark T. Esper.  

FORT IRWIN, CA, UNITED STATES

06.13.2019

Story by Capt. Robert Taylor 

Idaho Army National Guard

G. Thomas Greco, Idaho’s civilian assistant to the Secretary of the Army, visited Idaho National Guard Soldiers and Airmen training at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin, California June 11-12.

“Leaders are leading,” he said. “Soldiers are training. This is the best place to learn to fight.”

As a civilian assistant to the Secretary of the Army, Greco reports directly to the Honorable Dr. Mark T. Esper twice a year. Each state and U.S. territory have at least one CASA appointed who help provide a link between the Army and their local communities.

During his two-day visit, Greco visited with Idaho National Guard senior leaders, toured Fort Irwin and the training area, and observe training firsthand.

The 116th Cavalry Brigade Combat Team, headquartered in Boise, is completing a month-long rotation at one of the U.S. Army’s combat training centers to build unit readiness and increase Soldier’s proficiency in their warfighting functions. The 124th Fighter Wing, headquartered less than a mile away from the 116th CBCT on Gowen Field, is supporting the rotation with close air support while participating in Green Flag-West in Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. In addition, the wing’s 124th Air Support Operations Squadron is providing Tactical Air Control Party support to the brigade.

Greco volunteers as Idaho’s CASA. He meets bi-monthly with the state’s adjutant general, Maj. Gen. Michael Garshak, and U.S. Army Reserve senior leaders, attends drill and other training, meets with active duty recruiters and visits with various veteran and family support groups. He focuses on readiness, recruiting and retention, and the Army’s Soldier for Life program, per Esper’s directive.

“I love Idaho and I love my Army,” he said. “We have the best Army in the world. I want to make a difference. I want to help.”

Greco graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1972 and retired from the U.S. Army in 1996 as a colonel. He sees his continued service, for which he receives no compensation, as continuing to uphold the values of duty, honor and country he learned at West Point.

“It’s a duty thing more than anything,” he said.

While on active duty, Greco led an air-assault task force deep behind enemy lines during Operation Desert Storm and was decorated for valor and heroism. Esper served as a lieutenant in Greco’s formation.

“When Mark asked me to serve in this position, I couldn’t say no,” he said.

Greco said he has heard positive feedback from the National Training Center’s observer, coach and trainers about the brigade’s ability to train hard and learn from the 30-day rotation. Greco spent time training at the National Training Center himself while on active duty.

“You can make mistakes here,” he said. “In combat mistakes are costly.”

• Date Taken: 06.13.2019
• Date Posted: 06.14.2019 00:51
• Story ID: 327386
• Location: FORT IRWIN, CA, US