Fort Jackson, SC, July 18, 2025. In a powerful blend of mentorship, modernization, and appreciation for the Adjutant General (AG) Corps' legacy, the 7th Signal Command (Theater) G-1 team conducted a full-day Staff Ride to Fort Jackson, South Carolina. The visit served as both a professional development opportunity and a message of inspiration to over 200 Advanced Individual Training (AIT) Soldiers preparing to become the Army’s next generation of Human Resources (HR) professionals.
The day began with a warm reception from SFC Akeem Sellers, AIT Senior Instructor, who escorted the team to the 369th AG BN auditorium. Awaiting them were over 187 highly motivated AIT Soldiers eager to engage with senior HR leaders. The auditorium buzzed with anticipation as SGM Laurence E. Stewart, G-1 Sergeant Major, took the stage to greet the Soldiers and introduce Mr. David Bedard, the G-1 Assistant Chief of Staff.
Mr. Bedard delivered a deeply personal and motivating message, recounting his military journey and the lessons that shaped his success in both uniform and civilian service. His message underscored themes of perseverance, professionalism, and service, leaving a lasting impression on every Soldier present.
Following Mr. Bedard’s message, SGM Stewart introduced the rest of the G-1 team, beginning with the military personnel leadership: Mr. Earl Hoover, Mrs. Cynthia Stanley, Mrs. Lisa Kemp, SFC Tuputala Hill, and SGT Michel Villarreal. He then introduced the civilian personnel team led by Mrs. Nancy Traylor. Each team member’s presence reinforced the importance of collaboration between military and civilian HR professionals within the Army enterprise, and they all shared lessons learned and how to be successful as a HR Professional in the field.
In his closing remarks, SGM Stewart shared his own career transition from combat arms to the Adjutant General Corps and emphasized the value of humility, a quality he described as “a quiet strength often overlooked in today’s Army.” In a heartfelt moment, he presented a personal coin, originally awarded to him by the Republic of Korea Senior Enlisted Advisor during his recognition as the Army’s Leadership of the Year recipient, to an AIT Soldier, PVT Luca Filigenzi, who was voted by peers and cadre as the “most humble” in training. The gesture brought home the message that character is just as critical as competence in leadership.
From there, the G-1 team transitioned to SSI Headquarters, where they were greeted by SFC Jayme Elam, the Executive Assistant to the AG Corps/School CSM, and met with CSM Jasmine Young, Command Sergeant Major of the Adjutant General School. The discussion focused on building the future of HR by replacing legacy systems, leveraging real-time surveys for feedback, and embracing collaborative relationships between instructors, IPPS-A training developers, especially for Army civilians, and the great support the SSI received from the 93rd Signal Brigade Network Enterprise Center staff on Fort Jackson. At the end of the discussion Mr. Bedard and SGM Stewart presented the SSI a gift to CSM Young, as a token of appreciation from the 7th Signal Command (Theater) G1.
The visit continued with high-level engagements on the changes in the Army with CSM Monte Drummond, the SSI Command Sergeant Major, and CSM Tresia Huell, the Commandant of the Noncommissioned Officer Academy (NCOA). Both leaders praised the initiative by the G-1 team, recognizing it as a key step toward strengthening cross-functional partnerships between operational units and institutional training centers.
The next stop brought the team to the Interservice Postal Training Activity (IPTA) school, where CW3 Jeremy West, the Director, and SFC Braxton Gordon, the Senior Army Instructor at the IPTA, provided a 20–30-minute tour and briefing. They highlighted recent advancements in postal operations, the seamless partnership between the Army and the United States Postal Service (USPS), and improvements in training systems. Notably, the USPS supports life cycle replacement of postal equipment at no cost to the Army, a significant modernization effort that benefits the force.
Mrs. Lisa Kemp then led the team to the Fort Jackson Network Enterprise Center (NEC), a subordinate of the 93rd Signal Brigade under the 7th Signal Command (Theater). There, Mr. Scott Ritenour, Director of the NEC, emphasized the critical workload that SSI generates nearly 50% of NEC’s total operations. He also demonstrated the capabilities of Automated Digital Systems (AUDS) throughout the building and praised the partnership with Mrs. Kemp, who works as a 7th Signal Command G-1 HR Specialist at Fort Jackson. Mr. Bedard and SGM Stewart expressed sincere appreciation for the NEC’s steadfast support to her and their broader HR mission.
The team then enjoyed lunch at the 369th Dining Facility alongside CSM Robert King, the 369th Battalion CSM. The meal offered a relaxed moment of fellowship and further dialogue on HR transformation, Soldier readiness, and sustaining strong leader development across all echelons.
Concluding the staff ride, the team visited the AG/Finance Corps Museum, where they were greeted by Mr. Fielding Freed. Mr. Freed delivered an engaging 15–20-minute historical brief that traced the proud lineage and evolution of the Adjutant General Corps from its inception to its modern-day missions. From early personnel administration during the American Revolution to today’s technologically advanced HR systems, the museum tour provided critical context and pride in the enduring mission of supporting Soldiers, units, and the Army family.
The 7th Signal Command (Theater) G-1 Staff Ride to Fort Jackson was far more than a professional development outing. It was a powerful display of mentorship in action, a reaffirmation of Army values, and a call to embrace innovation while honoring tradition.
From the Soldiers they inspired, to the partnerships they reinforced, the G-1 team's presence at Fort Jackson left a legacy of professionalism, humility, and transformation. The future of Army HR is in good hands and it’s already on the move.
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