FORT CARSON, Colo. – Leaders and human resources experts from Army Human Resources Command, stationed at Fort Knox, Ky., visited Fort Carson, March 12-16.
During their stay, the HRC soldiers provided information to Fort Carson leaders regarding the future of the Army, and mentored troops about changes to human resources policy and the importance of following proper procedures when looking at reassignment or promotion.
Sgt. Maj. Ken Jackson, senior enlisted leader for the adjutant general of the U.S. Army, spoke to enlisted soldiers about many of the new requirements troops must understand and complete to further their military careers.
“With the advent of technology, the soldier has a lot more responsibility for his or her own career,” Jackson said. “They have a lot more resources available to them to become an integral part in decision making when it comes to their careers.”
During his visit, Jackson focused on showing Fort Carson soldiers the importance of keeping their professional records organized, utilizing online Army career assistance programs, and remaining proactively engaged with unit human resources professionals to ensure paperwork is processed correctly.
“The enlisted leaders here at Fort Carson are willing and eager to take care of soldiers,” Jackson said. “Once we started giving them the knowledge we brought to the table and showing them things going on across the Army, light bulbs started going on in their heads.”
Educating soldiers about changes in Army policy is imperative to ensuring they make the best choices to further their career, said Sgt. Maj. Rodney Allen, senior enlisted leader, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, HRC.
“We want to share with the soldiers out here why we do our business, how we do our business, and an idea of the nuances it takes to get soldiers where they want to be and maintain a balance in the Army,” Allen said.
Allen spoke to enlisted soldiers about assignments and highlighted the Qualitative Selection Program, an initiative implemented by the Army to identify soldiers’ productivity levels and gauge whether they are maintaining standards.
“What the Army is trying to do is maintain the right quality of soldiers,” Allen said. “We do not want to keep soldiers who are not bringing anything to the table with them. It is a privilege rather than a right to be in the Army.”
By visiting soldiers in person and putting out information first hand, the HRC leaders highlighted the importance of the topics they discussed, said Staff Sgt. Latoya Sewell, information systems operator, North American Aerospace Defense Command.
“With all the changes that are coming up in the Army, we all need to be aware of what is happening, not only for ourselves but also for our soldiers,” Sewell said.
While the senior non-commissioned officers spoke to enlisted soldiers, human resources officers briefed Fort Carson leaders about the Army’s personnel distribution plans, and met with unit leaders throughout the week to discuss manning concerns, helping leaders better understand the needs of Fort Carson units.
Spending time face-to-face with leaders is imperative to understanding what units need, said Maj. Brian Witcher, chief of the III Corps Enlisted Readiness Branch, Enlisted Personnel Management Directorate, HRC.
“What I’ve learned here is that maintaining communication is imperative in the Army,” Witcher said. “We are hearing a lot from the units here this week. My unit usually keeps in pretty good contact with Fort Carson units, but it is important to get face time with these leaders and see for ourselves what they need and how we can provide for those needs.”