SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII (Feb. 16, 2015) -- Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno visited the 25th Infantry Division, or ID, Lightning Academy/Jungle Operations Training Center, or JOTC, Feb. 12.
The Lighting Academy is a premier U.S. Army training facility within the Pacific theater and is instrumental in leader development. In addition, the JOTC is the principal partnership-training venue with 25th ID regional allies.
"It's really important to build confidence at the unit and individual level to operate in a broad variety of environments," Odierno said.
Odierno spoke with recent graduates of the adaptive leader course and stressed the importance of various training environments. This rigorous course challenged Soldiers and leaders to overcome obstacles in the Lighting Academy's terrain.
Odierno commented on the importance of Soldiers seeing their leaders solve problem.
When Soldiers see leaders solve complex problems it builds that confidence that they want to follow, Odierno said.
"This builds an incredible capability," Odierno said.
"We have a unique advantage over any other Army and that's our officer/non-commissioned officer corps," Odierno said. "Overcoming adversity and coming up with new ways to solve problems."
Odierno said one of the most important things the Army must do in the future is to work with technology.
"This is what the adaptive leader course is all about," Odierno said. "Being able to think through complex problems with what you have."
Now Soldiers will use the teaching along with this experience to become more flexible and adaptive on the battlefield.
"Learning to be successful in an environment you have never seen before adds to the overall confidence to your unit," Odierno said. "We have to prepare for many missions in many places."
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