Photo By Sgt. 1st Class John Carkeet IV | Army Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas, Jr., command sergeant major, U.S. Army Reserve,...... read more read more
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CAMP ZAMA, Japan - The Army Reserve Engagement Team-Japan (ARET-J) welcomed Army Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas, Jr., to the Land of the Rising Sun during his tour of the Pacific Aug. 17-19, 2015. ARET-J presented Thomas with an overview of the Army's mission in Japan while Thomas outlined the Army Reserve's latest training courses, retention programs and promotion incentives.
Thomas joined scores of Soldiers, families and Department of Defense civilians at the Camp Zama Community Club, Aug. 18 to watch Army Maj. Gen. James F. Pasquarette, commanding general, U.S. Army Japan (USARJ) and I Corps (Forward) pin the rank of colonel onto the chest of Army Col. Timothy M. Snyder (right), ARET-J's newly appointed director. A former infantry officer and distinguished member of the U.S. Border Patrol, Snyder accumulated eight years serving in various leadership assignments throughout Japan. He and his small yet capable ARET-J team augment USARJ & I Corps (Fwd)'s mission by recruiting qualified Army Reserve Soldiers to fill dozens of key leadership positions throughout Japan.
“I am very impressed with what [ARET-J] has accomplished in such a short period of time,” said Thomas. “[Snyder] and his team have proved instrumental in seamlessly connecting USARJ with Army Reserve Soldiers who have the experience and expertise to excel in positions that would have otherwise remained vacant.”
After the ceremony, ARET-J organized a luncheon for Thomas at the Camp Zama Clubhouse Restaurant. There, the command sergeant major and his ARET-J hosts discussed candidly about the challenges and opportunities facing their respective commands. The luncheon was followed by a formal briefing with Reserve Soldiers about the current status and future outlook of the Drilling Individual Mobilization Augmentee (DIMA) program. USARJ and I Corps (Fwd) depends on the DIMA program to fill key leadership and specialist positions that ensure the command boasts the talent and manpower necessary to manage the numerous logistical missions and bilateral engagements conducted throughout Japan. Thomas also discussed the effectiveness of “Operation Full Court Press,” the Army Reserve's latest campaign to keep qualified enlisted Soldiers in the Army through promotion incentives and civilian employment opportunities.
“In my travels I met many specialists (E4) who had been in the Army Reserve for almost a decade,” said Thomas. “Most of these older specialists were more than ready to enter the [noncommissioned officer] ranks … I took it upon myself that qualified E4s would automatically populate on the promotion board list. This program has increased the number of promotions from specialist to sergeant by more than 270 percent.”
Prior to his departure, Thomas presented his personal command sergeant major coin to Army Pfc. Shamika Richardson, a chaplain assistant serving in USARJ and I Corps (Fwd). A native of Tallahasee, Fla., Aug. 18, 2015, at Camp Zama, Japan. Richardson coordinated with the Camp Zama Dining Facility staff to prepare the VIP room for a luncheon attended by Thomas and hosted by the Army Reserve Engagement Team-Japan.
“It wasn't that long ago that the [Active] Army, Army Reserve and National Guard treated one another as separate entities,” said Thomas. “The fact that USARJ's senior leadership rarely distinguish active duty Soldiers with their Reserve subordinates and superiors speaks highly of the ARET-J's commitment, compassion and professionalism.”
Thomas will continue to move east as he visits Army Reserve Soldiers stationed in Korea.
Story and Photos by Sgt. John L. Carkeet IV, U.S. Army Japan
| Date Taken: | 08.19.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 09.04.2015 07:58 |
| Story ID: | 175254 |
| Location: | CAMP ZAMA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Hometown: | TALLAHASSEE, FLORIDA, US |
| Web Views: | 243 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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