Command briefs new Reserve leaders on readiness requirements

By Sgt. Aaron BeroganJune 2, 2017

Gaining Greater Clarity
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Reserve Lt. Col. Augusto Villalazhiguero, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 345th Regiment, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, pauses for a photo during the 85th Support Command's New Command Teams Orientation brief in Arlington Heights, Ill. on May 19-20, 2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Ready to Fight Tonight
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Robert Cooley, Deputy Commanding Officer, 85th Support Command, discusses the importance of ensuring all Soldiers have everything they need to be ready to fight as soon as they are called upon, during the 85th SPT CMD's New Command Teams Orienta... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
That Soldier is my son
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon Perry, Command Sergeant Major, 85th Support Command, emphasized the importance of the 85th SPT CMD's mission during the New Command Teams Orientation brief in Arlington Heights, Ill. on May 19-20, 2017. Perry talked about how... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command briefs new leaders on the way ahead for readiness requirements
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco Jr., Commanding General, 85th Support Command, explains during a New Command Teams Orientation brief on May 20, 2017 in Arlington Heights, Ill. why it is so important to understand the unique partnership between the 85... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Understanding the Relationship
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Shawn Klawunder, Chief of Staff, First Army, interjects remarks expressing his gratitude for seeing so many new leaders assigned to units that fall under the joint commands of the 85th Support Command and First Army during the New Command Team O... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. - New command team leaders of the Army Reserve's 85th Support Command sat shoulder to shoulder to gain a better understanding of what is expected of them as they lead their battalions and take them forward in readiness.

The 85th Support Command is an active component command partnered with the First Army and headquartered at Rock Island Arsenal, Ill. The Command held a New Command Teams Orientation brief on May 19-20, 2017, to elaborate on expectations from the leadership of the logistic and training support battalions and brigade support elements and to understand the processes and support network available to them in their readiness efforts.

"You are the tip of the spear," said Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco Jr., Commanding General, 85th Support Command. "In an era of persistent conflict, in an era of home-grown terrorism, in an era of significant challenge on the international stage, it's absolutely imperative that our nation have a strong and viable military. The Army is at the core of that mission, set with the job of fighting and winning the nation's wars."

The Command's leaders gained insight at the briefing to understand the unique partnership between the 85th SPT CMD and First Army. Maiocco stated that more than half of First Army's structure is made up of Army Reserve units.

"60 percent of First Army is the 85th," he said.

The orientation also allowed the new leaders to ask questions and gain clarification on their unique active and reserve partnership commands.

"This is a great way for the command to let us know what they expect from us," said Lt. Col. Augusto Villalazhiguero, Commander, 2nd Battalion, 345th Regiment, Fort Jackson, S.C. "This type of training gives us both sides of the coin -- what the active side expects out of us and what the reserve side expects."

One theme rang loud and clear during the course of the training -- maintaining and strengthening readiness requirements among all Soldiers.

"Acknowledging the differences between the reserve and active components, but understanding how the components need to work together to improve the readiness training is what this conference is all about," explained Col. Shawn Klawunder, Chief of Staff, First Army. "Everybody will leave here better off for what they have experienced."

The battalions assigned to the 85th Support Command are in charge of helping support the missions given by First Army, meaning that they are in a position to ensure Soldiers are trained to the highest level with the best available training. Command Sgt. Maj. Vernon Perry, Command Sergeant Major, 85th Support Command, used a story to explain why their role is so vital to the mission of First Army.

"The Soldier breached through a door. As he did, an enemy on the other side fired at him, but because the enemy isn't as well trained, he hit the door frame above this Soldier's head," explained Perry. "Because of the training, the Soldier did as he was trained to do. He engaged the enemy quickly, and was able to come home. This Soldier is my son."

The command teams in attendance shared that they take their mission personally, and will give every effort to ensure all Soldiers have what they need. One leader explained that Soldiers need to be ready to fight tonight -- and should the need arise, the first Soldiers to be mobilized would be greeted by the 85th SPT CMD at the Mobilization Force Generation Installation. There, the 85th SPT CMD would ensure those deploying forces have all the resources and training needed to execute their missions.

"We go on the first planes to those MFGI's and receive incoming Soldiers," explained Col. Robert Cooley, Deputy Commanding Officer, 85th Support Command.

Cooley discussed the necessity of readiness with current and potential rising conflicts. "If you look at any newspaper or on the television, there are multiple concerns throughout the world," he said.

Many of those in attendance stated that they left the training with a clearer idea of what was expected from them, and how the 85th SPT CMD and First Army partnership works. Many of the leaders in attendance stated that the briefing made them feel more confident in accomplishing their goals and supporting the missions of the 85th SPT CMD and First Army.

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