FORT STEWART, Ga. -- There's been a recent integration of service members of the Georgia Army National Guard and active duty Soldiers on Fort Stewart beginning this year.
Elements of the 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT), based out of Macon, and the 648th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (MEB) have augmented the 3rd Infantry Division (3ID) active duty unit on Fort Stewart. The 48th IBCT is an associated unit of the 3ID and are authorized to wear the 3ID patch. The 648th MEB supports the 48th Infantry Brigade.
Due to budget cuts and restructuring within the military, 3ID experienced downsizing of their personnel. As a result, the Georgia National Guard's 3ID Main Command Post Operational "Marne" Detachment (MCP-OD) was created specifically to help fill those empty positions, according to Lt. Col. Shawn Workman, Commander of the Marne Detachment.
Workman states, since the division was downsized and lost personnel on their staff, members of the Marne Detachment would flow into these positions within the headquarters in case the division became activated for deployment.
"This is a new way forward with the Guard and active duty meshing to complete whatever missions we're given," said Workman. "It's unique how we're integrated with the active duty for this Warfighter exercise."
The Marne Detachment has demonstrated interoperability with the active duty component during the Warfighter Exercise 17-1 that officially kicked off on October 4th. The Warfighter training exercise was lead by Major General Jim Rainey, the Commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. Workman stressed that Rainey knows the importance of the Marne Detachment and what they can bring to the fight, to aid 3ID in their future missions.
"It starts with Major General Rainey," said Workman. "He is for this, and he realizes the significance (of the National Guard units)."
Workman added, this new direction of mission command for the detachment starts at the commander level and works its way down.
"Our mission is to enhance the capabilities of the Division Headquarters," said Workman.
According to Workman, the relationship between the 3ID and the National Guard units serving with them, have been beneficial as the units conduct training exercises together to include the Warfighter.
"We've become an integral part of what they're doing," said Workman. "It has been great to work with them. They have welcomed us on board putting us next to their guys and doing what we need to do to make this thing successful. We now wear the 3ID patch, which is kind of historic and unique for the Guard. We are fully integrated with 3ID."
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