Former Stewart-Hunter Commander visits Spartan Soldiers

By Spc. Dustin Gautney, 2nd HBCT Public AffairsOctober 22, 2009

McCaffrey
Addressing Soldiers from 1/30th, 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID in a very candid and honest briefing on deployment readiness, awareness and current affairs, Gen. (Ret.) Barry McCaffrey inspires the Soldiers to push ahead and stay positive for the upcoming deployme... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. </B>-Hundreds of Soldiers from Spartan Brigade's 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment filled Fort Stewart's Main Post Chapel as the former U.S. Drug Czar and MSNBC military analyst gave words of encouragement and advice, and he answered questions to the deploying Soldiers of 2nd Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division. Oct. 15.

"You will be there in a key time in Iraq and American history," said Gen. (Ret.) Barry McCaffrey, the onetime Director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under former president Bill Clinton.

General McCaffrey described the ever-changing environment in Iraq, and, for many 3rd ID Soldiers, that the Iraq they left over a year ago is very different now, and change for the better has taken hold of the country.

"The situation has changed. Iraq is better today than a year ago; however, it can still be a dangerous place. More recently, the biggest concern is accident rates among Soldiers being injured in noncombat situations, such as motor pool accidents and other avoidable injuries," Gen. McCaffrey said.

The Adjunct Professor at the United States Military Academy encouraged Soldiers to ask, "Am I good at this'" and, "Do I like the kind of stuff I get to do in the Army'" encouraging Soldiers to truly look at the Army as not just a current job but a possible career.

General McCaffrey also responded to questions about the current climate of the U.S. military.

With questions ranging from the MSNBC military analyst's experience in Iraq to the current

situation of Afghanistan, Soldiers were treated to a rare, unabashed and open window into Pentagon politics and U.S. military planning with one of the U.S. Army's former top military leaders.

"The general was very frank and open to Soldiers and officers. It was a very rare chance to be able to talk that openly to the general and have him be able to relate everything to the Soldiers at their level without talking down in any way. (He) reassured everyone of their sense of duty," said Capt. Toby Keaney, 1/30th, 2nd HBCT, 3rd ID.

After having an open discussion with the Soldiers, Gen. McCaffrey had lunch with junior officers from 1/30th, 2nd HBCT.

He later held a one-on-one discussion with 2nd HBCT's battalion commanders where he further discussed current political and military climate of Iraq and the Middle East as well as gave advice on military leadership.

"This is the smallest U.S. Army since before WWII; however, it is also the most effective Army we have ever seen because of the physical courage, leadership and confidence, especially from the noncommissioned officer ranks who have done a remarkable job of forging and continuing this heroic organization of values," said Gen. McCaffrey.