Soldiers attend seminar

by Tina Ray
Paraglide



No two days in the Army are ever the same, but Soldiers, who serve in positions of leadership, must show consistency over the long haul.

It’s one of the messages delivered by Lt. Gen. Frank Helmick, commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, to about 200 Soldiers of the 82nd Sustainment Brigade at its leadership seminar Feb. 24.
Helmick, who has served in the Army for nearly 35 years, told the Soldiers that they must take their jobs seriously, but also maintain a sense of humor as they serve.

Soldiers must possess certain qualities and values, Helmick said. Some of those qualities and values are loyalty, accepting responsibility for one’s actions and maintaining discipline.

Some of the non-negotiable values that Soldiers must follow are not to lie, cheat or steal; not to act for personal gain; not to sexually harass anyone and not to act immorally.

The Soldiers of the 82nd Sustainment Bde. listened intently to the general’s words at the leadership seminar, which was held at the Airborne and Special Operations Museum on Bragg Boulevard in Fayetteville.

The leadership seminar was designed to provide a forum for the way ahead, introduce enduring programs and highlight programs that are already successful.

Soldiers in leadership positions set the standard and tone for the Soldiers they are entrusted to command.

“These Soldiers coming into the Army today need somebody to make a difference in their lives and you guys have that opportunity,” Helmick said. “Caring about somebody within your organization takes time. It takes your personal time to make a difference.”

It is important, for instance, to check on the well-being of Soldiers, said Helmick, who said he often makes weekend telephone calls to those on his staff and stops by dining facilities on the post to talk to Soldiers and get their feedback.

Helmick said one of his pet peeves occurs when Soldiers in command do not listen to their employees’ concerns. He said it also bothers him when Soldiers in leadership positions repeat mistakes made in the past.

According to Helmick, leaders cannot take short cuts. As a former senior military assistant to the deputy secretary of defense in Washington, Helmick said he saw a general be called upon to take a urinalysis test.

Helmick used this example to illustrate the fact that even the little things are responsibilities that apply to all Soldiers, regardless of rank or position.

Helmick outlined some expectations leaders have of Soldiers, such as paying attention to details, keeping a positive attitude and maintaining relentless supervision.

Helmick encouraged the Soldiers to always lead from the front.

Additionally, Col. Hector Lopez, brigade commander, told the Soldiers that their job is to instill discipline back in the ranks and stress proper customs and courtesies.

“If we do the basic things right, we are going to be successful,” Lopez said.

The Soldiers of the 82nd Sustainment Bde. are planning several events in the future to build on what they learned from the seminar.

Some of the upcoming events include providers and junior leaders courses, such as participation in the Warrior Training Program and an Iron Chef, all designed to improve Soldiering skills.
Training Support Center items can be loaned for training purposes, officials said. Artillery simulators, replica weapons, graphic training aids and munitions replicas are some of the items available at the Central Receiving Complex.

Sergeant 1st Class Zeena Simmons, assigned to the 127 Quartermaster Company, shared her impression of the seminar.

“We’re dealing with a new Army,” Simmons said. “We’ve got to grow. We’ve got to evolve, become better leaders. Hopefully, we put something in our kit bags.”