YONGSAN GARRISON, South Korea - When the War on Terrorism began about 15 years ago, many of today's top-enlisted leaders were serving in squad- to company-level positions. They are leaders like Command Master Chief Chris Stone of U.S. Naval Forces Korea, or Eighth Army's Command Sgt. Maj. Richard E. Merritt, who began the Global War on Terror as a first sergeant in the 75th Ranger Regiment and did multiple combat tours.
"During 15 years of (war) a lot of walls got torn down," said Merritt. "We made a lot of gains fighting combined and joint. We don't want to lose those (and) start that all over again when the first bullet flies here."
Merritt, Stone and others like them say they worry about losing those valuable lessons as the pace of combat operations slows.
The joint U.S. services, with the help of Command Sgt. Maj. Lee Gil-ho, Republic of Korea Combined Forces Command, turned their concern into action last year with the formation of Backbone University.
Now in its second year, the two-day training session is a means to build a mentorship network with midgrade NCOs and petty officers as they join the "backbone" of their respective services and come into leadership positions in their own right.
Led almost entirely by senior noncommissioned and petty officers with emphasis from senior commanders, Backbone University provides participants the opportunity to learn from the most seasoned NCOs and petty officers on the Korean Peninsula.
"Our future as a fighting force is a joint force," said guest speaker Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Ballard, Deputy Assistant Chief of Staff, United Nations Command, Combined Forces Command, United States Forces Korea. "If this is the first point where you are getting to work in brothers and sisters in different type of uniform, it's not going to be the last."
Leaders facilitated a series of education briefs and breakout discussions on a variety of subjects, including what it means to be a member of the Profession of Arms. Among the key takeaways for the junior participants is that professions are self-governing and disciplined.
As they spoke with the next generation of leaders, the senior mentors stressed the importance of setting a good example and putting forth maximum effort. They shared experiences from their careers in the military to help junior NCOs better understand their role as leaders.
"I think (this training) provides insight into the role of noncommissioned Officers." said Marine Cpl. Andrew Suzio, 501st Military Intelligence Brigade. "And it gives us look into what is expected of us down the road when we become senior leaders."
Command Master Chief Stone said the focus on mentoring and training mid-grade NCOs and petty officers wasn't just about their potential for future leadership positions. He said it underscored the importance of the junior leader's current role in the success of each of the services.
"They are on the grind day in and day out, making it happen for all of us," he said. "They deserve the tools and knowledge."
"The military is the only institution in the world where we grow our own," added Merritt. "We don't go outside the organization to look for a CEO. As important as our operational training is, mentorship is the piece that brings it all together."
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