FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- More than 500 noncommissioned officers from across the 8th Theater Sustainment Command met at Schofield Barracks, Sept. 6, to run four miles with and receive guidance from the 8th TSC's commanding general, Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons.
The purpose of this quarterly physical training is to reinforce physical fitness standards and to build esprit de corps, as well as connect on a more personal level between the NCOs of the 8th TSC and its leader.
Lyons began his post-run speech by thanking and praising the NCOs of the 8th TSC.
"I am proud to be a part of this organization," Lyons remarked, "and I believe we have the best noncommissioned officers in the entire Army."
He then reminded the Soldiers of the importance of their roles in the Pacific and of their influence.
"You have more impact in your area of responsibility, than I do as your commanding general," he said. "I have more authority at certain levels, I'll grant you that, but in your sphere of responsibility, don't ever underestimate the impact that you have on the people and the Soldiers around you."
He also took questions from the crowd pertaining to everything and anything that was on their minds, including the budget and drawdown of the Department of Defense.
"There will always be a need for a trained and ready Army," he said. "It may not be as big as it was last year, but there will always be room for high quality Soldiers and high quality leaders. We have been through this cycle before in our history, and I think that the way the Chief [of Staff of the Army] is approaching this is much better and farer than in previous occasions. He is giving leaders the authority and the opportunity to be selective about who we retain. This means we will retain a smaller, higher quality force."
He also answered many other questions across a variety of topics that included domestic abuse, Syria and our role in the Pacific, as well as the radiation leak in Japan and if it will affect Hawaii.
He concluded with more praise of the NCOs and Soldiers of the 8th TSC.
"This command has gone more than two years now without a fatal accident. It is not lost on me that sort of thing doesn't happen without a whole lot of leader involvement at every level of the command," he said. "I really appreciate your leadership and your professionalism across the command."
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