FORT CAMPBELL, Kentucky -- Command Sergeant Major Lynice Thorpe-Noel, senior enlisted advisor at the U.S. Army Human Resources Command, visited Fort Campbell to participate in the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Adjutant General Week, hosted by the Screaming Eagle chapter of the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA), May 7-10.
The purpose of AG week was a team- and morale-building event for AG Soldiers all across Fort Campbell, while also providing educational opportunities and training seminars. Nearly 80 Soldiers and leaders gathered for training sessions, as well as a meet and greet breakfast and sports competitions.
"AG week is an outstanding opportunity for me to come here and talk to you about our profession and ways we can strengthen our Army through talent management," Thorpe-Noel said.
"As HR professionals, you are the tip of the spear for sustaining readiness and ensuring we are placing the right Soldiers in the right positions at the right time."
Speaking to the group, Thorpe-Noel emphasized that all Soldiers, regardless of rank, duty position or MOS, need to know about upcoming personnel changes and how they will impact the courses of their careers. She also introduced what she calls her team of teams; experts that accompanied her to discuss HRC programs.
One of those, Sgt. Maj. Damon Smith, HRC's Soldier Support Branch sergeant major, detailed several aspects of the Assignment Satisfaction Key (ASK). He told the AG Soldiers in the room that they must emphasize to their units the importance of updating this tool.
"There is a new initiative, where if you like this great place, Fort Campbell, and you want to stabilize here for 36 more months; you can do that through ASK," said Smith.
Smith also explained grade plate changes coming to the AG noncommissioned officer corps.
"We are moving back to having sergeants first class at the battalion level, and master sergeants at the brigade level," he said. "Some of you are probably at that level now, because we've started it on just about every installation.
Thorpe-Noel described another program of interest to Fort Campbell and its Soldiers: the Army Credentialing Program, a new initiative that provides Soldiers with the funding to pay for training and classes that lead to certificates, licensures and credentials in more than 1,600 occupations.
The program is now available to Soldiers based at Fort Campbell and throughout the state, including Kentucky National Guard and Reserve soldiers who live in and actively drill with a unit in Kentucky.
"Army credentialing is something to get excited about," Thorpe-Noel said. "It allows our Soldiers an opportunity to gain professional credentials while in the Army for civilian jobs and careers after they leave the Army."
The program is scheduled to roll-out Army wide in 2020 and provides up to $4,000 a year to pay for academic, vocational and technical courses and exams. Soldiers are required to take the courses during their off-duty time from training providers and educational institutions approved by the Army.
Thorpe-Noel and her team introduced AG Soldiers of the 101st Abn. Div. to the Officer and Enlisted Personnel Management Directorates at HRC.
"OPMD manages almost 90,000 commissioned officers and warrant officers across the Army," she said. "EPMD has 178 MOSs they manage on a daily basis, with about 460,000 active-and reserve-component enlisted Soldiers."
The group discussed the Army's new Active Duty Officer Assignment Interactive Module. Thorpe-Noel said a similar program is currently being considered for enlisted Soldiers.
"The AIM system is a game changer," she said. "It is an opportunity to capture all of those individual special skills that Soldiers may have that would not otherwise be listed on their records. We can take that information and match Soldiers' knowledge, skills, experience and preferences with suitable positions across the total Army."
The new tools and programs are exciting for the AG corps, but Thorpe-Noel said ultimately HRC's top priority is the Army's top priority -- readiness.
"For AG corps Soldiers, this means executing personnel distribution to generate or enhance readiness across all Army formations," she said. "That's why we [AG corps Soldiers] must be skilled in this multifaceted arena of human resources to ensure that our Army remains the most powerful in the world. We can't fight and win our nations wars without our most precious resource - Soldiers."
Following the breakfast and the HRC brief, most of AG Week focused on "AG University" a series of classes on human resource systems, the Integrated Personnel and Pay System -- Army, evaluations and other MOS skills. The week ended with a competitive tournament of Ultimate Frisbee.
The primary purpose of the week's events were boosting morale, providing educational opportunities and conducting training seminars. However, Maj. Jodi Krippel, 101st Abn. Div G-1 Human Resources Operations Center Chief, said that she hopes the biggest beneficiaries will end up being the Soldiers whom the AG Corps services every day.
"The week was a huge success; we were able to provide training opportunities to the Fort Campbell HR community that they can take back to their units, while also enhancing networking and comradery within our profession," said Krippel. "We hope to continue this event for years to come."
AWARDS
Several Soldiers and leaders were recognized at AG Week for their efforts and contributions to the field.
Theodore Roosevelt Medal, for maximum score on an Army Physical Fitness Test:
Spc. Leroy Henry, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Col. Robert Manning Achievement Medal, for promoting the objectives and purposes of the AG Corps:
Capt. Chrystal Ware, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Abn. Div.
Sgt. 1st Class Melanie Hollingsworth, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Sgt. 1st Class Candace Jones, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Staff Sgt. Asha Norman, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Spc. Leroy Henry, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Horatio Gates Bronze Medal, for distinguished achievements and service of individuals who promote the objectives and purposes of the AG Corps.
Chief Warrant Officer 3 Detrottus Thomas, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) William Mendez, 101st Abn. Div. G-1
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