I Corps holds Stryker Symposium

Lt. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, I Corps and JBLM Commanding General, spoke on the

need for the Stryker community to come together and develop what and where the

SBCT's will provide to the Army, and how to best move forward to face, not

only today's, but tomorrow's challenges on the battlefield.

"The strength of the SBCT," Volesky told the attendees, "is the 9-Soldier

dismounted squad, enabled with the firepower, mobility and networked Mission

Command architecture of the Stryker vehicle."

The Stryker Interim Armored Vehicle, developed pre-9/11, has the ability to

rapidly fight the enemy in complex and restricted terrain. Riding on wheels

rather than tracks, it is lighter than most Army combat vehicles and easier to

transport by plane.

"Our purpose for this summit is to gain consensus from the Stryker community

on where we want to be in the next 20 years," Volesky added. "We have the

ability to shape the future of the SBCT now. The window of opportunity is

open."

With that goal in mind, Volesky brought in subject matter experts as well as

SBCT command teams throughout the Army to discuss improvements, lessons

learned, funding and feedback from Soldiers in the field.

With the shared vision for the SBCTs, it helped to drive topics of discussion

for the symposium, but more importantly gives a frame of reference when

discussing ways ahead for the Stryker formation.

"This event was very insightful," said Lt. Col. Michael Berriman, commander,

8th Squadron, 1st Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 2nd

Infantry Division. "To hear current brigade commanders discuss the particular

challenges their formations face and to see some of the common trends. There

appeared to be a commonality from the brigade commanders on how to employ the

SBCT."

Static displays of the improved Mission Command and 30mm Dragoon variant of

Strykers were also on hand for the commanders to see what was next in the near

term for the SBCTs.

"I'm very excited to see how we begin to employ the 30mm Dragoon variant in

the formation," said Berriman. "With that variant alone, I believe it will

provide the ability for Cavalry Squadrons to fight for information, and better

establish the security zone for the brigade."

The open forum event provided the opportunity for commanders, leaders and

Soldiers to voice their opinions and agree to the path going forward,

especially when talking about the future of the Stryker community.

Volesky plans to hold the symposium more than once a year and to bring in

representatives from the Army's Centers of Excellence to keep current concerns

and initiatives on the forefront.

"We want the SBCT to remain the formation of choice for combatant commanders,

now and in the future" said Volesky.