FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- More than 1,100 Army Reservists from the 9th Mission Support Command gathered at Fort Shafter Flats to participate in the second Oahu Consolidated Soldier Readiness Processing March 4-6.
The event brings together Soldiers from all over Oahu to update records relating to medical and dental, personnel, family readiness, finance, security and legal.
The 9th MSC's Theater Support Group led the effort by planning, coordinating and executing the SRP from start to finish.
"Our intent is to improve our Soldier readiness within the units," said Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph M. Burnett, TSG command sergeant major. "When a Soldier is downrange [deployed], it's very important for him to have confidence that he and his family will be taken care of and that's what this event does."
Beyond Soldier readiness, the SRP also allows Soldiers the chance to take advantage of unavailable opportunities.
"If a Soldier doesn't have insurance they tend to put things on the back burner," said Burnett. "This event provides the means for Soldiers to receive services like immunizations, flu shots and even root canals."
The MSC's goal was to have 90 percent of the assigned unit strength successfully completing the SRP. "We determine our goal by the number of boots on the ground," explained Burnett. "We take into account Soldiers who are on temporary duty or in school and aren't able to make it. But overall we are meeting or even exceeding our goal for the weekend."
The SRP is important because Soldiers and their families often pay the price when records are not maintained properly.
"The bottom line is that Soldiers are wounded or even killed when down range," said Command Sgt. Maj. Oscar Diaz, command sergeant major of the 302nd Transportation Terminal Battalion. "When records are not kept up to date, the wrong person can be left as the Soldier's beneficiary. I've even heard of Soldier's ex-wives being left with the benefits and the new wife is left with zilch."
In the past, the SRP was completed at the battalion level. Battalions under the 9th MSC were responsible for keeping records up-to-date. They would have to schedule around each other to complete the event, which often proved difficult.
Having the event consolidated is much more efficient, explained Lt. Col. Andrew Troske, 302nd TTB commander. Because of the number of Soldiers coming through, the command is able to offer better quality screenings with top of the line equipment and more staff. It has really helped improve the unit's readiness statistics as a whole. Ultimately, the SRP ensures Soldiers will be ready and able to accomplish any task given.
"The reality of it is, it's preparing us to do our mission," added Diaz.
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