When Basic Combat Training leadership and cadre met this week at the Center for Initial Military Training BCT Program of Instruction Workshop, Fort Jackson's commander emphasized the need to help change the Army's culture.
"We have to know the Army story," Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson said. "One of the things the Army isn't good at is knowing our own story. We have to decide what that story is, create what the sound bites of history are, and we have to know it, we have to teach it, and we have to reinforce it."
The training needs to show the "wonderful, rich, proud history of the United States Army," he said.
The heart of stewardship of the Army profession lies in everyone buying in to the set standards, enforcing them, and bringing along the next generation of troops to do the same and add on to Army tradition.
Army leadership can "foster a culture that supports professional and personal growth; communicate across your organization; motivate and inspire; and perform in a safe and respectful manner consistent with the Army Ethic and Army Values" in order to improve Army stewardship, the post's top medical officer, Col. Eric Edwards said.
Army stewardship doesn't just belong to the "green suiters" on the battlefield, or any certain military occupational specialty -- it is everyone's job to keep the Army great, Fort Jackson leaders said.
"Being a good steward of the Army profession applies to all ranks and grades; both military and Department of the Army Civilians," said Edwards, commander of the Fort Jackson Medical Activity. "As in the case of senior leaders, junior Soldiers share the same responsibility to set the example by being responsible and duty bound, consistent with the Army Ethic and Army Values."
As part of the stewardship program, Fort Jackson will be changing its standards book to reinforce what right looks like. According to Fort Jackson's senior enlisted leader enforcing standards goes a long way to creating a "thriving unit."
"You have to be able to lay some rules out that are enforceable," Command Sgt. Maj. Lamont Christian said. "You can have the best standards book in the world, but if that culture is not something accepted, you know, and executed and people aren't held accountable to it … culture will eat it up. General Perkins (TRADOC commander) says that.
"You can have the best rule book in the organization and say, 'Man, this is the perfect rule book.' But if the culture in your organization doesn't abide by those rules, doesn't enforce those rules, and they don't know those rules … the book means nothing."
There are programs across the Army that help ensure continued growth of the Army culture.
"The MEDDAC has programs both common to other Army units (Officer, NCO, junior enlisted and civilian professional development programs) and some unique to the many medical professions and communities in which we operate every day. These programs are pivotal to providing open and inclusive forums that support Army Profession growth and knowledge while enhancing esprit de corps."
(This is the second in a series of stories about stewardship of the Army profession.)
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