LOS ALAMITOS, CA.-- The Command Sergeant Major for 4th Sustainment Brigade spoke to 224th Sustainment Brigade, California National Guard noncommissioned officers in Los Alamitos, Calif. July 31.
At the request of Col. Julian Bond, 224th Sustainment Brigade Commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Jacinto Garza traveled from Fort Carson to Southern California to speak to nearly 100 California National Guard NCOs during their weekend training at Joint Forces Training Base. During his hour long brief, Garza spoke on a variety of topics including 4SB’s current campaign plan, “We are only as strong as a Sergeants”.
“I’m a firm believer in the NCO Corps. So is my commander, and so is your’s. At 4IDSB we believe NCOs are at the corner stone of success or failure of each mission,” Garza said. “It’s important to include NCOs in the planning phase of each mission, not just the execution phase.”
Garza also spoke on the relationship between the 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade and 224th Sustainment Brigade.
“Partnership and relationships absolutely matter. That’s why I love the 224th Sustainment Brigade,” Garza said. “I am proud of the relationship between our two brigades. You have some of the most professional and knowledgeable NCOs in your formation. During Vibrant Response 2016 earlier this year some of your NCOs came out to Colorado to assist us. Not only did they assist us throughout the exercise, they taught us some new things as well. After VR we sent some of our signal Soldiers here to assist with some training. It’s very important that we help each other out. The Army Chief of Staff doesn’t see my brigade as an active duty unit and your brigade as a National Guard unit. He sees our brigades as Sustainment Brigades that support the cause whatever that might be.”
Garza also offered some advice for the NCOs as they move forward in their careers.
“The NCO Corps isn’t as strong as it was when I first came into the Army almost 20 years ago,” Garza said. “We have to take back our Corps and we can do that by leading from the front. When it comes to physical training, get out there with your Soldiers. Take the Army Physical Fitness Test with your Soldiers. Let them see you step on that scale. You have to put your money where your mouth is. Being an NCO requires you to exercise leadership, not likership.”
Garza was invited to speak during the NCO Academy training by Bond, who spent a few days at 4SB Headquarters in April earlier this year during a Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) Sustainment Leader conference. During the conference Bond was briefed by Garza on the meaning behind “We are only as strong as our Sergeants” campaign. Bond also saw and heard firsthand NCOs from the “Rough Rider” Brigade giving briefs and were responsible for areas that normally are performed by senior Captains and Majors. Bond was so impressed that he took the campaign with him back to Southern California and implemented it within his brigade.
“The 4th Infantry Division Sustainment Brigade inspired the Dragonslayer Brigade to adopt the theme, we are only as strong as our NCOs (Sergeants),” Bond said.
Garza said his brief to Dragonslayer NCOs is another example of how the sister brigades are assisting each other while strengthening the Total Force concept.
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 08.22.2016 16:24 |
| Story ID: | 207886 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, COLORADO, US |
| Web Views: | 161 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 4IDSB CSM visits Sister Sustainment Brigade in California, by SFC John Cortez, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
