Photo By Sgt. Maj. Eric Lobsinger | Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston (center), shares a light-hearted moment with...... read more read more
By Sgt. Maj. Eric Lobsinger
Multi-National Division – Baghdad
BAGHDAD – As the throng of 4th Infantry Division Soldiers and their partnered troops stood tall in formation, Dec. 20, outside the Combat Aviation Brigade's hangar on Camp Taji, north of Baghdad, two helicopters swooped down from the sky while the vehicle's occupants eyed the proud troops.
As the birds settled onto the tarmac following yet another perfect landing by the brigade's aviators, the moment they had all awaited arrived as Sgt. Maj. of the Army Kenneth Preston, accompanied by Multi-National Force's Iraq's Command Sgt. Maj. Larry Wilson and Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division's own Command Sgt. Maj. John Gioia, appreciatively assessed the troops as they approached.
Following an introduction by Command Sgt. Maj. Archie Davis, the CAB's senior enlisted leader, Preston called the troops to attention and then had them fall out and gather around so he could meet with them and share his views on what is happening with the Army today and how it will affect them.
The scene was repeated again at two additional packed houses at Camp Taji before moving on to Forward Operating Base War Eagle in Adhamiyah, which is located in northern Baghdad, when he visited the Soldiers of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., and their partner units, at a packed Rosenberg Café.
Preston said his annual trip to Iraq during the holiday season with the United Service Organization Tour is important because it provides him the opportunity to visit with the Soldiers and see how they are doing. His trip not only provides him the opportunity to keep them abreast of what is happening in the Army, but it also provides him an avenue to get feedback, first-hand, directly from his deployed Soldiers.
The Soldiers he meets during his visit, he said, never fail to impress him, and he is truly proud to be one of their own.
"Hands down, there is no doubt in my mind that the Americans who we have serving today are the cream of our society," said Preston. "Those men and women – who volunteer to serve in an Army at war, and supporting a nation at war – are the best of what America has to offer."
Along with Preston during the "SMA Hope & Freedom Tour 2008" were super model Leeann Tweeden and country singer Craig Morgan, who dedicated their time to entertaining the troops. Afterward, the two signed a plethora of autographs and posed for pictures with the Soldiers.
But the most prominent visitor of the day was Preston himself as the Soldiers patiently awaited their opportunity to shake his hand, pose for a picture with their senior leader and share a few words with him. Of course, he took every opportunity to ask his troops how they were doing and asked for their observations as well.
Wilson, MNF-I's senior enlisted leader, said it is important for the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to have the opportunity to visit with their senior enlisted leaders because he provides a direct link as to what is happening at the Army level, and he can share the Soldier perspective of what is happening and how it will affect them.
"When the sergeant major of the Army comes out and talks to the Soldiers," said Wilson, "he was once where we are at, so he can directly relate to Soldiers – and the Soldiers can relate to him. They just love to see him out here."
During Preston's visit to each site, he took advantage of the opportunity to speak with the assembled troops about where the Army was, where it is and where it is heading.
A key message he shared with each gathering is one that is important to him and important to Army leaders, and that is establishing predictability and stability for Soldiers and their families. The only way to achieve this, he explained, is to grow the Army to meet these objectives.
He spoke of where the Army was, talking about the Army's troop strength during the days of Desert Storm/Desert Shield, in which 780,000 Soldiers were on active duty, adding that following the end of the conflict, the Army quickly underwent a reduction of 300,000 Soldiers down to an end-strength of 480,400 active-duty Soldiers and 32 brigade combat teams.
Following the terrorist attacks on 9-11, when the Army was again called upon, this time to Afghanistan and shortly thereafter to Iraq, military leaders realized they would have to grow the Army to meet its increasing responsibilities and attempt to provide predictability and stability for its forces. To do this, the Army's mission was to expand to 48 fully manned BCTs by 2011.
The Army team has performed tremendously in expanding its forces, he said, pointing out that there are now 40 fully manned BCTs as additional BCTs are being developed, manned and equipped. In fact, the Army's strength increase has grown dramatically, with 545,000 Soldiers presently on active duty, which is an increase of more than 63,000 Soldiers over a 5-year period.
Growing the Army, particularly while it is at war, is a tremendous challenge. As such, he said it is imperative to grow it with the right people as well.
"I have gained, over the last five years, a deep appreciation for what our recruiters do," said Preston, "and the tremendous challenges in recruiting for the caliber and quality of those Americans, who volunteer and make the commitment to be part of America's Army.
Equally important, he added, is keeping the Army's quality Soldiers and maintaining the ever-important combat experience and knowledge those Soldiers possess. This mission is one that seems to defy the odds at times because many perhaps feared the current operational tempo and deployment cycles could potentially lead to an exodus from military service. Such has not been the case.
He said there are numerous success stories throughout the Army of Soldiers staying with the team, such as the high retention rate of the 4th Inf. Div.
"Here it is, the first quarter of the fiscal year," said Preston, "and the division has almost met its fiscal year retention goals in the first three months – that's incredible."
As to why the Soldiers are staying, he said that really should not be that big of a surprise because the bottom line is that Soldiers are dedicated, motivated and part of a winning team. And that team perspective, the feeling of being part of something that is bigger than oneself and taking care or teammates, is powerful in and of itself.
"Nobody wants to leave the team right now while the team is in the middle of the fight," explained Preston. "We always knew, in our heart of hearts, the reason people reenlist and continue to stay is they are doing a real-world mission. I think they can see, first hand, their contributions in accomplishing what we are trying to achieve.
"It's hard, hard work. You are deployed for 12 to 15 months; it's long, long hours. You only get two weeks R&R leave in the middle of that, and yet, Soldiers are reenlisting and they are staying with us – they are staying with the team."
And leading the way are numerous senior Soldiers, who could have left the team long ago but remain committed to leading their troops in time of need.
"I have more sergeants major in the Army right now, with more than 30 years of service," said Preston, "who could have retired a long time ago – they could have left. Yet, they continue to serve, and they want to continue to be a part of this.
"Our Soldiers and leaders, they want to be part of a winning team – and they are."
Wilson adamantly agreed with the importance of remaining with the team, explaining that "the Soldiers and their leaders, the Airmen, the Sailors and the Marines – they are the reason I continue to serve and stay in the Army."
The opportunity to hear from the sergeant major of the Army, to see him, and to share some time with him is important, said Davis, because it also validates, for the Soldiers, what they are hearing from their senior enlisted leaders.
"If you are an enlisted Soldier, and you hear it from the senior leadership, you have a sense of purpose," said Davis. "It benefits our Soldiers to hear it from who I'm hearing it from because it shows them that we are on the same sheet of music.
"It provides predictability, which is critical in decision making in the Army. It gives you the ability to plan and focus, and that gives you a little more peace and calmness as you go into battle – You've got to talk the talk and walk the walk."
As Preston concluded his visit with the Soldiers of MND-B and the 4th Inf. Div., he said he wanted to let the Soldiers know he is proud of them and their accomplishments, as they should be as well, and he encourages them to share their stories with their fellow Americans.
"For all of the Soldiers, service members, leaders and Army civilians of Multi-National Division – Baghdad and the 4th Infantry Division, I just want to say thanks," said Preston. "I'm very proud of all of your accomplishments over this long deployment.
"I hope, as you finish your time here, you go back home with your families and friends and reflect on your deployment experience. I want you to know how much I appreciate your contributions in accomplishing our missions."
| Date Taken: | 12.21.2008 |
| Date Posted: | 12.21.2008 12:41 |
| Story ID: | 27971 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 188 |
| Downloads: | 159 |
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