KONOTOP, Poland - Senior leaders from two brigades currently conducting missions in support of Operation Atlantic Resolve made a stop here to speak with Soldiers and Polish allies in an effort to assess unit and individual readiness, Nov. 9.
Soldiers in various units, now including the 16th Sustainment Brigade and 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade, have been rotating throughout Europe since OAR exercises began last year as a demonstration of support to our European partners and allies.
Soldiers conversed over coffee and tea with Col. Michelle Letcher, Command Sgt. Maj. Maveric Ledbetter, Col. Ronald Ragin and Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza, the commanders and the senior noncommissioned officers respectively in charge of the 16th SB and 4th ID SB.
To assess overall readiness, the two sets of senior leaders offered words of encouragement while discussing several topics with the Soldiers.
In addition, Soldiers had an opportunity to introduce themselves, ask questions and voice any individual concerns or needs to improve the mission and organization.
Topics of discussion included communication and connectivity, physical readiness training, promotion boards, retention and individual suggestions from the Soldiers.
Letcher, who took command of the 16th SB in June to provide sustainment mission command of OAR, made note of each Soldier’s concerns and offered solutions to improve mission readiness.
“Our job is to serve you,” Letcher said. “Not the other way around.”
After the initial meeting, Ledbetter took the noncommissioned officers aside and asked which junior enlisted Soldiers in the group were the hardest workers, most deserving of recognition.
Without warning, Letcher and Ledbetter reformed the group for an impromptu award ceremony in which four motor transport operators were recognized.
Letcher presented both Pfc. Gerardo Soto and Spc. Ashley Esprit of the 51st Transportation Company, 39th Movement Control Branch with coins to acknowledge their efforts.
Pfc. German Morales of the 515th Transportation Company, 39th Transportation Battalion, and Pfc. Cody Wargo of the 51st received the Army Commendation Medal from Letcher, in recognition of their dedication to the mission.
“Our Soldiers and junior leaders are really operating at much more senior levels,” Letcher said. “These Soldiers are doing multiple rotations and deserve to be recognized.”
Before saying their goodbyes, Lt. Col. Artur Prabucki, deputy commander of the 16th Garrison Support Unit of the Polish army, presented both Letcher and Ragin with plaques to commemorate their visit.