CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait — Sgt. 1st Class Hayes Clark, an inspection general noncommissioned officer with the 1st Theater Sustainment Command operational command post, conducted battlefield circulation in Iraq, Feb. 5-13, 2022, to train Soldiers on how the inspector general team can assist them.
Clark began his trip in Erbil, Iraq, where Lt. Col. Saul Arroyo and Command Sgt. Maj. Noel Wilkere, the command team for the 264th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, welcomed him and introduced him to their formation.
Clark briefed the command team on the IG visit's overall mission, which included assessing the unit’s morale and leading training on counterproductive leaders, dignity and respect, and inappropriate relationships.
1st Lt. Rafael Valles, the forward logistics element officer in charge for EAB, gave Clark a tour of operations and an overview of the Soldiers' work areas and responsibilities. Valles oversees operations supporting U.S. and coalition forces at EAB.
"Out of all of the training I have attended in the military, this was by far one of the most engaging and informative sessions,” Valles said. “[Clark] displayed his professionalism and knowledge to forward deployed soldiers while fostering a comfortable environment and encouraging open dialogue during the training."
Clark’s second stop was the Baghdad Diplomatic Support Center, where he met with 1st Lt. Dorothy Woodberry, the FLE OIC.
Woodberry highlighted the efforts and work ethic of the Soldiers at the camp and spoke highly of the quality of the chow hall. She remarked to Clark that the 264th CSSB had great working areas despite BDSC being the smallest installation in the area of responsibility.
1st Lt. Jeffrey M. Lamczyk guided Clark during his last stop in Al Asad Air Base, Iraq.
“Clark gave an excellent class on fraternization, toxic leadership, and perception by utilizing scenarios and encouraging open discussion among the participants,” said Lamczyk.
In total, Clark facilitated nine separate training sessions and briefed more than 190 Soldiers.
Clark said a major effort of the 1st TSC OCP IG office is teaching Soldiers and leaders what the IG can do for them and getting after the Army Chief of Staff's initiative, "people first," by checking on unit morale. Briefing the IG’s mission and providing leader professional development sessions provides Soldiers a way to instill trust within their formations and develop cohesiveness, he said.
“The IG acts as the eyes, ears, voice, and conscience for the command,” Clark said during his training. “That is how valuable the IG is in providing assistance in maintaining readiness and effectiveness to good order and discipline.”
“Sgt. 1st Class Clark is a tremendous professional and the Soldiers absorbed a lot of the training,” said Arroyo. “I assess that, following this training, my team has a better understanding of resources and overall process if any issues arise in their areas.”
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