Maj. Gen. Darrell K. Williams, commanding general of U.S. Army Combined Arms Support Command and Fort Lee, visited Fort Jackson March 1 and 2 to motivate Soldiers and junior officers to work as hard as they can toward becoming great leaders of the future.
"It's all about trust, Soldiers civilians and Families, leadership, leader development, living the Army values, enforcing standards and discipline, doing what's right, building strong teams and professionalism," said Williams during his visit.
Williams said his family comes first but to make everything flow right, "you have to have a work -- life balance."
He stressed that maintaining personal resiliency and resiliency of your family is crucial to wellbeing and success.
Williams also shared his thoughts on standards a Soldier must live up to or exceed to be at the top of their game and to pretty much be guaranteed their next promotion.
"His message is about what it takes to be a good Soldier -- a good leader," said Col. Richard Nieberding, commander of Fort Jackson's Soldier Support Institute. "He gets me fired up every time I listen to him."
Leading by example and taking care of Soldiers, civilians and Families ranked high on the general's list. Always accomplishing the mission came next and he then stressed the importance of treating all people with dignity and respect.
"You cannot attack the personal dignity and respect -- nor should you -- of your subordinates," said Williams. "It degrades your ability to accomplish the mission."
He also discussed the merits of being deployable at all times, staying in compliance with regulations, looking like a soldier and being able to pass a physical fitness test anytime.
"A lot of what he said really resonated with me," said Capt. Judy Yoo, a Basic Officer Leadership Course instructor. "Because it is exactly how I operated when I was in command."
Finally, he emphasized the significance of qualifying on one's assigned weapon and the benefits gained from training every day.
He began his day at 6 a.m., joining the 369th Adjutant General Battalion for physical training. After breakfast he talked with Soldiers at the Non-Commissioned Officer Academy. He then spent time with folks at the Financial Management School and ate lunch with first sergeants.
His last stop was to talk with a group of junior officers enrolled in the Officer Development Program at the Soldier Support Institute.
He ended his day taking questions from students.
"He's brilliant," said 1st Lt. Abraham Haddad, a student in the officer development program and an artillery officer in the Jordanian army. "I want to apply all these ideas when I get back to Jordan."
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