Courtesy Photo | Command Sgt. Maj. James H. Martin Jr., 38th Infantry Division senior enlisted advisor,...... read more read more
By Cadet Emily Abrams
38th Infantry Division Public Affairs
EVANSVILLE, Ind. - The 38th Infantry Division commanding general, Maj. Gen. David C. Wood, has set a new mission: to visit a different battalion each drill month. The first visits were Saturday, Jan. 23, 2016, was to the 1st Battalion, 151st Infantry Regiment in Jasper, followed by the 1st Battalion, 163rd Field Artillery Regiment in Evansville.
Accompanied by Command Sgt. Maj. James H. Martin Jr. and division staff representatives, the theme behind these visits is positivity and to let soldiers know that their performances are being seen.
“I want these visits to let them know that we’re thinking about them here at the division level,” said Wood. “I want them to ask questions and for us to answer them.”
The idea behind these battalion visits is to focus on the commanding general’s key messages. The first message is focused on providing trained and ready soldiers.
“Our mission is to be trained and ready to go overseas and fight,” said Wood. “I need soldiers, to be ready to go. If the governor calls us in for a natural disaster, we can do that too, but our number one mission is to be ready overseas.”
Sexual harassment and sexual assault was the second message that was focused on. Division leaders want to ensure that all soldiers in every battalion know who their respective victim advocate is and know that the Army has a zero tolerance for any kind of sexual assault or harassment. In an anonymous survey, conducted at the 38th Infantry Division headquarters battalion, it was shown that some soldiers feel intimidated to come to drill weekends.
“I want my soldiers to grow, prosper, and thrive when they come to drill. I have absolutely no tolerance for sexual assault and harassment,” said Wood.
Recruiting and retention was the third message to be focused on and also the general’s first priority. He wanted to stress to recruiters how important retaining soldiers in the Guard is. During the visit in Jasper, Sgt. Gavin Brothers, Evansville, and Spc. James Pitrowski, French Lick, talked with the general and Lt. Col. Chris M. Mabis about their recruiting program.
“The CG coming down here is an understanding that higher levels take pride in recruiting and retention efforts,” said Brothers.
Another expectation focused on was leadership and motivation. Both Wood and Martin believe that leaders need to lead from the front and be striving for excellence, in the operational and administrational aspects.
The last goal of the command staff is to reduce the number of flagged soldiers. Wood and Martin highlighted statistics of flagged soldiers and want to see a change of culture within all of the battalions.
While visiting the 1-163rd in Evansville, the division staff talked one-on-one with soldiers during lunch.
Sgt. Crystal Wells, Evansville, seated next to Martin, along with other soldiers of the 1-163rd.
“It’s good to see the division staff able to come down and see the ‘Joe’ side of things and not just the officer side,” said Wells. “In a sense, they’re getting down on our level to find out what’s going on.”
At the other end of the table sat Wood across from Sgt. Steven Lamble, Henderson, Kentucky and other noncommissioned officers.
“Having them here shows that the Guard cares about its soldiers,” said Lamble. “It makes you feel needed.”
The general recognized Sgt. Christian Brinegar, Bloomington, for his outstanding performance as a noncommissioned officer and received a commanding general’s coin.
“It's a great honor to receive a coin from the CG,” said Brinegar. “I'm complimented. Receiving this is a huge motivation for me.”
The general also recognized four soldiers from the 1-163rd, and they received a commanding general’s coin as well. Sgt. Lucas Worthington, Evansville; Pfc. Daniel Gabhart, Vincennes; Pfc. Zachary Fitzgerald, Fishers; and Sgt. Erin Davis, Evansville all received coins for their outstanding performances.
To continue spreading the word, Wood plans to visit two more battalions in February.
| Date Taken: | 01.23.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 01.24.2016 15:55 |
| Story ID: | 186906 |
| Location: | EVANSVILLE, INDIANA, US |
| Web Views: | 134 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 38th ID leader visits troops in Evansville, Jasper, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
