Photo By Terrance Bell | Command Sgt. Maj. Sean J. Rice, Quartermaster Corps CSM, talks with Soldiers following...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (June 8, 2017) -- The Quartermaster Corps and School command sergeant major typically spends the first few months of his tenure flying off to other locales trying to gain a sense of what the corps needs to better do its job.
While traveling and assessing operations all over the world is imperative and required, CSM Sean J. Rice is emphatic the homefront gets just as much of his attention as quartermaster elements elsewhere.
“The first thing I want to get after is learning how the organization works here at Fort Lee,” said the 13th QM CSM, “instead of immediately jumping in the seat to start travelling.”
The learning-how-the-corps operates approach will better position him to offer on-the-spot advice, guidance and solutions when he is in the field as “opposed to going out there taking notes and bringing them back,” said Rice.
Since taking on his new responsibilities, Rice said he has identified five initiatives he deems critical to supporting the priorities set forth by Brig. Gen. Rodney Fogg, Quartermaster General and QM School commandant. They are increasing training experiences; increasing the rigor of training; enhancing the credibility of quartermaster Soldiers; encouraging education; and promoting credentialing opportunities.
To increase training experiences, Rice pointed to multi-component training – or training with guard and reserve elements – as an alternate but effective means to increase proficiency, noting active duty logistics units comprise a third of the total force and often deploys with guard and reserve units.
On an individual training level, Rice said training rigor is critical to skill improvement. He plans to encourage it through the promotion of crucibles, excellence programs and best-warrior-like events that focus on the element of competition to increase readiness.
“Whether you win or lose any competition, the journey is more important than the end task,” he said.
The goal of reinvigorating the commitment of quartermaster Soldiers to their missions is relative to credibility, said Rice. To that end, quartermaster elements should strive to distinguish themselves in ways that inspires faith among those they support, he said.
“When a commander says ‘that’s my supply sergeant,’ that’s powerful,” said Rice. “When privates say ‘that’s my drill sergeant,’ that’s powerful. That means you’ve achieved a level of trust and confidence of someone in that organization. I would like to see that at the corps level as well.”
In the area of education, Rice is a strong advocate of college enrollment. He also said he is looking at ways to provide Soldiers with increased opportunities to hone critical thinking skills. Using modules within Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Systems courses at the instructional level to reinforce those skills is a consideration, but training at the organizational level is just as important to augment what’s being taught, he said.
To further improve individual Soldier readiness, Rice also plans to encourage Soldiers to take advantage of the credentialing opportunities available to them. Currently, each quartermaster military occupational specialty, with the exception of mortuary affairs, offers some type of certification. A mortuary affairs certification is expected to be offered within the next year.
Increasing the effectiveness of Soldiers and therefore units, increases readiness, said Rice, and bolsters commanders’ confidence in Soldiers and units to perform any given mission.
“The commander’s vision is to train combat ready Soldiers who are relevant today and ready to fight tomorrow,” he said. “With that comes credibility or the confidence the force has in our ability to perform missions.”
Aside from his stated goals, Rice said he will be on the watch during his travels for anything indicative of “turbulence” or signs of inconsistencies between what the leadership intended and the actual outcome, something he experienced when he was away from the flagpole.
“When I was outside of Fort Lee and messages would come out to the field, I wasn’t always crystal clear on what the messages were to effectively translate them down to the formations,” he said. “It created turbulence, so that’s where that piece is coming from.”
Rice said he looks forward to engaging Soldiers in a way that contributes to the goal of making the corps more vibrant and responsive. A concerted effort is needed toward that goal.
“Everything is built on positive relationships,” said Rice. “If you create a positive climate, there’s nothing you can’t get accomplished because people will have a desire to support. I want to continue to increase the value of the corps, but that’s something that requires support from the field.”
The Quartermaster Corps is comprised of more than 96,000 logisticians among the active Army and reserve components. Additionally, more than 20,000 Soldiers will undergo training in its schoolhouses this year.
| Date Taken: | 06.08.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.09.2017 10:21 |
| Story ID: | 237040 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 245 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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