FORT DRUM, N.Y. (April 7, 2016) -- When the Fort Drum Better Opportunities for Single Soldiers representatives gather once a year during their symposium, they have one thing on their mind: trying to make every Soldier's life better.
The group of approximately 40 battalion and brigade BOSS reps gathered March 28-30 at the Commons to discuss a variety of topics ranging from service support to installation synergy as they were facilitated by Army Family Action Plan program assistants.
Each day started with challenging and unique physical training. The reps then broke into smaller groups and worked on the top 10 ideas of improving just about anything they could think of, such as extended business hours for installation facilities, infrastructure such as roads and lights, and the Army's Digital Training Management System.
Throughout the day, subject-matter experts gave short briefings and stayed around to answer questions. Command teams from various units came around to observe the working groups as well.
"Many (important) issues … were brought to the attention of the facilitators of each group for service support, force support and installation synergy," said Sgt. Patrick Brawley, Fort Drum BOSS president.
Before their big presentation, the group got a chance to travel to Sackets Harbor for a staff ride and battlefield tour of the War of 1812 by the Sackets Harbor Historical Society.
By the last day, the reps had finalized their solutions and selected their presenter, as Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Belda, 10th Mountain Division (LI) acting senior enlisted adviser, and Command Sgt. Maj. Kristopher Cook, Fort Drum garrison senior enlisted adviser, were present to hear the outcome of each group.
Sgt. Jesse Deel, BOSS rep for 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, presented service support ideas for improving the gyms, commissary, Army and Air Force Exchange Service facilities, Outdoor Recreation and BOSS. Another issue concerned housing options for older, single Soldiers, and a recommendation was made to amend Army regulations to give them housing and sustenance allowances. It is an issue that would require the command's consideration, as Single Soldier Housing still has vacancies.
Belda and Cook helped to present alternatives or solutions to issues for many of the subjects, but when it came to the touchy subject of updating the Digital Training Management System, everyone agreed that although it needs to be overhauled, it really would be out of their hands.
For Sgt. Nancy Zeron, 7th Brigade Engineer Battalion rep, speaking about DTMS in her working group brought back nightmares of a system that she spent way too much of her days on.
"It was just so labor-intensive," she said. "DTMS is broken. … We know it's broken, but we are still using it."
Cook commended the BOSS reps as he recognized the months of work it took to put the symposium together, and he reminded the Soldiers that they have a "big voice."
He also took the opportunity to advocate for Soldiers to further their education.
"Go out there and motivate your fellow Soldiers to sign up for classes," he said, referring to tuition assistance and educational benefits.
Sgt. Maj. John Vick, 10th Mountain Division chief culinary management sergeant major, spoke to the BOSS reps about doing their part to improve all Soldiers' dining experience during his visit to the symposium by helping spread the word to Soldiers.
"We want feedback to improve the quality of food and dining experience," Vick said. "We need single Soldiers to eat in the dining facility so our utilization rates grow. This will allow us to do more special meals and improve our menus."
Brawley said he and his reps plan to go out and actively seek out Soldier feedback for trips, recreation and leisure. They plan to develop bigger and better annual events, and newer, recurring events that Soldiers will find enjoyable as they learn a life skill.
"The more input we get, the easier it is to host events that they are more likely to enjoy," he said.
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