15th Sust. Bde. hosts personnel conference

By Staff Sgt. Rob Strain, 15th Sustainment Brigade Public AffairsJanuary 8, 2010

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CONTINGENCY OPERATING LOCATION Q-WEST, Iraq - The 15th Sustainment Brigade, 13th Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), personnel section hosted a daylong conference here at Contingency Operating Location Q-West Dec. 19.

The conference, which included 45 adjutant general officers, noncommissioned officers, and Soldiers from across the brigade, served as a way for the Soldiers to come together for a joint training session, said Maj. Victor Herbin, the 15th Sust. Bde.'s personnel officer.

"We wanted to make sure everyone is on the same page," Herbin, a San Diego, native said. "Make sure they know what is required, so nothing is lost in the upcoming mission."

The conference was broken down into interactive sessions, covering topics such as personnel support, training to streamline processes and tactics, techniques and procedures to be successful, Herbin explained.

The interactive sessions allowed everyone to give feedback and ask questions, rather than having a more traditional class with the instructor talking to the audience, said Capt. Elaina Hill, the 15th Sust. Bde. adjutant and former battalion personnel officer.

"It was a joint effort," Hill, a Fairbanks, Alaska, native said. "A lot of questions were answered; [we] got a better understanding of the processes."

Another benefit of the conference was the ability to get the brigade's personnel Soldiers in one place, so they have the opportunity to meet one another and associate a face with a name, Herbin said.

"We do so much over the Internet," Herbin said. "It was a good opportunity to meet and exchange ideas."

For Hill, who is not currently working in a personnel office, the conference was a good refresher on the skills needed to be successful when she goes back to one.

"It really helped, getting the feedback from those with experience," Hill said.

Hill explained that it is important for the personnel section to keep their skills sharp, because without them, units wouldn't receive new Soldiers, mail or the proper pay.

The brigade plans to hold the conference quarterly, incorporating new units and procedures each time, Herbin said.