FORT LEE, Va. - For 236 years, quartermasters have been keeping the Army supplied whether in garrison or combat. More than 150 senior logisticians came together during Quartermaster Week 2011, June 14-17, to plan the way ahead and ensure the field is poised for success in the future. This once-a-year event provided a forum for information exchange and dialogue among members of the quartermaster community.
"For more than a decade, quartermasters, along with our sustainment brethren, have been providing support to operations in theater," Brig. Gen. Gwen Bingham, Quartermaster General, said. "We think it a mandate that we must continually endeavor to be relevant, value-added and proactive in shaping the future of our Army."
Bingham’s comments highlighted the theme of this year’s conference, "Supporting Victory for 236 years; Relevant Today, Shaping Tomorrow." Highlights during Quartermaster Week included many professional development sessions, which focused on the future of logistics, lessons learned and joint operations.
Panel discussions were tailored to be relevant to current trends and issues within the operational field. They provided the opportunity for senior leaders across the Army a forum to share information and receive feedback from attendees.
Participants were busy all week with events such as regimental chief warrant officer and command sergeants major change of responsibility ceremonies, equipment displays, dedications and Quartermaster birthday celebration. Attendees also had the opportunity to take part in a presentation on the past, present and future of the Army by Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, U.S. Army Materiel Command commanding general.
After Dunwoody’s brief, she recognized Bingham as one of 16 individuals to become Distinguished Members of the Quartermaster Regiment for 2011 and presented her with a certificate and lapel pin to signify the achievement. Although mostly ceremonial, the Distinguished Member of the Quartermaster Regiment award was started in 1991 to honor select individuals who made significant contributions to the Quartermaster Corps. It recognizes those members who by virtue of prestige, status and experience will continue to foster regimental pride, esprit, heritage and tradition.
The week concluded with Soldiers gathered at Williams Stadium for a Regimental Review that included Hall of Fame inductions for six new members.
"I count it an honor and privilege to congratulate all of our 2011 Hall of Fame inductees as we recognize their significant and numerous contributions to our corps," Bingham said. "The body of your work and influence is tightly woven into the fabric of our rich heritage."
Following the Regimental Review, attendees participated in specialized working groups for officers, chief warrant officers and sergeants major. This allowed each group to concentrate on topics that impacted them and share information with other subject matter experts.
"These sessions were paramount in building relationships, quality dialogue, and shared lessons learned from peer-to-peer perspectives," Command Sgt. Maj. James K. Sims, Quartermaster School regimental command sergeant major, said. "They also afforded senior noncommissioned officers and officers the opportunity to share working knowledge and professional advice."
Participants agreed this was one of the most informative Quartermaster Weeks they had attended, and plans are in the works to make next year’s event even better.
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