FORT CARSON, Colo. – For those who have never served, the operations of a military installation might seem like somewhat of a mystery. Access gates and barbed wire atop fences often keep prying eyes away from what happens within, but some select few were given the opportunity to go where most just have to wonder about.
Senior Department of Defense executives were welcomed onto Fort Carson by the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson command team as part of the Advanced Professional Executive, Senior Executive Program (APEX) Sept. 19, 2023. Maj. Gen. David S. Doyle, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, briefed the DOD leaders on the "Ivy" Division's capabilities and recent successes in Eastern Europe.
The executives asked questions ranging from military interoperability to the Army’s training capabilities. They were had the opportunity to speak to Soldiers to see how programs affect their everyday life.
“It’s a wonderful opportunity to see how what we do every day affects Soldiers on the ground, and actually talk to Soldiers and understand how our systems actually work and how well they’re working,” said Bobbi Davis, Deputy Command Council, U.S. Army Materiel Command. “Being here, I’m always reminded of the sacrifices that our Soldiers, Airmen, Marines make, but seeing that from afar and being here with the Soldiers today is a reminder of how great they are at defending our country.”
When the meeting was completed, the civilians were invited for a ride-along on either the CH-47 Chinook or the UH-60 Black Hawk, allowing them a birds-eye-view into the day-to-day life of Ivy Soldiers and how it differs from the civilian world.
“What they’re having the opportunity to see is the brigade training on its mission command tables as a part of the military decision-making process,” said Lt. Col. Latoya M. Manzey, commander, 588th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. “We get the opportunity to not only tell them what they do, but show them what they do. It’s more than video, it’s more than something in print; they’re able to engage with each other.”
APEX helps show the civilian side of the military how it differs and why Fort Carson is unique in its place among the Army. Inviting leaders to actively communicate and see their programs in effect is what allows Fort Carson to show that it genuinely cares about leaders and that what they contribute is important.
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