FORT STEWART, Ga. - As the Army continues its transition from a deploying force to a trained and ready garrison element, significant changes to daily operations are to be expected. In order for leaders to better utilize the shifting environment they must be kept abreast of what is working and what is not.
Chief of Staff of the Army Raymond T. Odierno spent Monday, July 14, checking the pulse of Fort Stewart/Hunter Army Airfield. Outside of the scheduled visit with 3rd Infantry Division Commanding General Maj. Gen. John M. Murray and other senior leaders, Odierno stopped several times throughout his visit to speak candidly with Marne soldiers.
A visit to the Marne Recovery Redistribution and Retrograde warehouse showcased how the division is adjusting to operating with a reduced budget without sacrificing training or readiness.
The 3rd Sustainment Brigade Commander Col. Anthony Coston and MR3-T noncommissioned officer in charge Master Sgt. Jeffrey Ricketts explained the details of how the warehouse works to save the division money by taking in excess supplies and redistributing them to other units with shortages.
Ricketts later said, “ I think the CSA was pleased with what we are doing here.” Adding that it’s significant that the information presented here is being looked at higher up.
Odierno individually recognized six soldiers from the section for their part in saving the division and the Army money.
He also showed special interest in the newly opened Marne Advocacy Resource Center, one of 11 in a pilot program Army-wide.
During a tour of the consolidated service facility, MARC Program Manager Lt. Col. Bill Anderson shared that since its opening, June 17, 2014, the center has assisted 70 individuals.
“By having all of these services in on location we are better able to support victims when they come in,” Anderson said.
Before departing Fort Stewart, Odierno walked among the 468 Eastern Redbud trees in Warriors Walk. Each tree is a living memorial for a Marne soldier lost in combat during Operations Iraqi Freedom, New Dawn and Enduring Freedom.
The MR3-T warehouse and MARC are only two examples on Fort Stewart of how efforts are being made to work within a reduced budget while maintaining a high state of readiness.