Fort Leonard Wood commanding general provides 90-day assessment

By Mrs. Martha Yoshida (Leonard Wood)August 13, 2015

Fort Leonard Wood commanding general provides 90-day assessment
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Maj. Gen. Kent Savre, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, presented his 90-day assessment and leader professional development seminar to the installation's senior leaders in Lincoln Hall Auditorium Aug. 4.

Savre, who took command in April, said his process to assess Fort Leonard Wood started with an understanding of the strategic direction of the Training and Doctrine Command and the U.S. Army.

The general said he gathered perspectives on what is important by talking to senior leaders, reviewing military regulations and capstone documents, participating in engagements within the local community and meeting with post commanders and their staffs.

He said that time spent during the sessions allowed subordinates to better understand his expectations about teams, teamwork and inspiring leaders of character.

"I'm going to talk a lot about character today," Savre said. "I'm really sold on character, competence, and commitment just like the Chief of Staff of the Army talks about. I firmly believe these attributes are what we need in our Soldiers, our leaders and our civilians, in our military and in our Army."

"You don't just need competent Soldiers in combat," he said. "They have to be competent Soldiers with character. You have to have both."

Savre emphasized Fort Leonard Wood's responsibility to America.

He highlighted that America, through its elected officials, spends money on the military so Soldiers and units can successfully accomplish the missions the nation calls it to do.

Savre highlighted the installation's strengths, along with opportunities afforded the post.

"The machine that brings in 75,000 people a year to Fort Leonard Wood and trains Soldiers and service members and pumps them back out to the force -- our ability to do that -- is very good," he said.

"Our commitment to the profession and this organization is a strength," the commanding general added. "Our institutional and resident knowledge is definitely a strength."

"I've told several members of Congress and the local community, who are concerned about the future of Fort Leonard Wood and the recent downsizing, about our infrastructure and our facilities," Savre said. "It's definitely a strength. We are very blessed."

"If the Army ever goes back in the other direction, in terms of size . . . there's no installation in the Army that has better facilities or the supporting workforce and surrounding community prepared to deal with growth," he added.

Savre spoke to the importance of institutional agility. "We have to embrace agility and build it into our structure, so that we can go where the Army is going," he said. "We have to make sure we are postured for all the changes that are potentially coming. There are a million opportunities out there."

Savre highlighted some of his current focus areas as opportunities, specifically mentioning developing and synchronizing future requirements for maneuver support in close coordination with all components of the Army, with other Centers of Excellence -- such as the Maneuver Center of Excellence, and with our operational forces.

Savre also emphasized the importance of being on the nation's team and placing the nation first. "All of us swore an oath to support and defend the Constitution," he said. "That means that you are working toward something that is greater than yourself. You're working for the American people."

Fort Leonard Wood and MSCoE are completing missions around the world on behalf of the United States of America and our national security, Savre said.

"At the heart of mission success and across the range of military operations are capable warriors and leaders (who were trained and developed right here)," he said. "This is why we have Fort Leonard Wood, this is why there is a Maneuver Support Center of Excellence. It takes specialized skills and specialized tools. We've got to get ahead and develop the right capabilities that will be needed across the range of military operations."

Savre encouraged his leadership team to provide him with feedback on his plans for the mission and vision and prioritization of the lines of effort for the way ahead.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood Guidon Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonad Wood