'We are all volunteers' -- SMA Preston visits, tackles issues

Photo By Spc. Laura Bigenho | A troop asks Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston a question during an open forum between Preston and dozens of troops July 14. Preston spent over an hour at Al Faw Palace answering questions from troops about their concerns.  

BAGHDAD, IRAQ

07.19.2007

Story by Spc. Laura Bigenho 

28th Public Affairs Detachment

By Spc. Laura M. Bigenho
28th Public Affairs Detachment

CAMP VICTORY, Iraq -- Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth O. Preston visited troops during a 90-minute open forum at Al Faw Palace July 14. Dozens of troops packed inside the Palace ballroom to hear Preston's vision for the Army, followed by questions from the troops and a photo opportunity with the highest-ranking enlisted Soldier in the Army.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola, Multi-National Corps-Iraq, opened the discussion by encouraging the troops to speak openly and honestly about what was on their minds.

"It takes moral courage to stand up, ask a question and not worry about what your peers have to say," Ciotola said. He also reminded troops of the main reason Preston came to visit – to hear the questions and concerns of those fighting for our nation.

Preston took to the floor by immediately thanking troops for their selfless service.

"We are all volunteers," Preston said. "What the Army is doing today is going through a transformation and we are at a time right now where our nation is asking a lot of our Soldiers."

In addition to giving a brief history of the Army, Preston touched on several topics of concern to troops. From the transformation of the Army – becoming more ready and modular – to increasing the number of troops. He also spoke about the future of the Army and how it directly affects troops today.

"In January 2004, we started the modular transformation. That's when we really started to build up the size of our force," Preston said. "The point of this transformation is to make the Army more ready and more capable of accomplishing its mission."

Part of the transformation included going from 33 brigade combat teams to 39, with an expected increase to 42 by next year. Preston said it is the chief of staff's goal to have 48 BCTs by 2012.

Preston also stressed the important role Army National Guard and Reserve Soldiers play in the transformation. With 255,000 total troops deployed around the world, Preston said that approximately 75,000 of those troops are mobilized Guardsmen and Reservists.

"All of you sitting here are the cream of this society," Preston said. "Only three out of 10 (people) are qualified to wear this uniform. You are the best our society has to offer."

Preston opened the floor for 30 minutes of questions from troops. Sgt. Colin Campbell, civil affairs non-commissioned officer, MNC-I C9, was one of several troops Preston called on. The Pensacola, Fla., reservist said he deployed to Iraq with substandard equipment and was concerned that other troops, particularly reservists, would have to face the same issue.

"(Preston) did admit (equipment) is a fall point right now, and he immediately looked to the subordinate leaders," Campbell said. "He explained why the shortage was there and he recognized there are Soldiers who missed the transition point and something needs to be done to resolve it."

Although he admits he was not completely satisfied with Preston's response to his question, Campbell said he was happy overall. He said the forum allowed Soldiers to understand what senior leaders are thinking and it gave a more thorough explanation to why certain things are being done.

"I can understand now why certain things are being done, like the 15-month deployments, and I can understand why there are some equipment shortages," Campbell said. "It was very impressive that he took time out of his schedule because a lot of leaders don't take the time to come see us."

Preston closed with remarks about the influence media has over the way Americans view events in Iraq. He stressed the significance of telling friends and family in the U.S. about their experiences in Iraq, providing an angle the media cannot give.

"Talk about what you've done over here," Preston said. "The American media sensationalizes. I need your help to tell the Army's story."

• Date Taken: 07.19.2007
• Date Posted: 07.19.2007 00:05
• Story ID: 11348
• Location: BAGHDAD, IQ