Aside from the mission I participated in following Hurricane Katrina, Recruiting Command has been the most rewarding mission of my 28-year career. For the past year as deputy commanding general, I've been part of a process that is helping our own -- helping provide the Strength of the Army: its people.
In my opinion, the job of the noncommissioned officers and officers in Recruiting Command is without a doubt the most important job in the Army. The motto "Strength Starts Here" is sort of cliché-ish, but it's very clever -- it hits the nail on the head.
Being an Army Strong Army starts with the more than 9,000 Soldiers we have recruiting in communities across the Nation. For the past 236 years, without a process and standards and the individuals to execute the mission of putting people in boots, we could not have an Army.
I'm honored to have been a part of this command and that process.
The most rewarding aspect for me personally is the individuals whom I've had the honor to help -- from applicants to recruiters, civilians and their Families " and knowing the numerous kids our recruiters help every day through mentoring, coaching and teaching.
My most memorable events were those when I had the opportunity to talk to students about the keys to success, not just about what the Army can do for them. Kids are very impressionable; they are hungry for information that will help them succeed, make them better people and help them become who they want to be. I like to play a part in that. What I've noticed in the Army recently is there are a lot of opportunities in the Army to do that, especially in this command.
What this past year has shown me is that everyone wearing this uniform is looked upon as a role model. A Soldier is as credible -- if not more credible -- than any role model a kid can have, with the exception of their parents. We must take every opportunity to share what we know to help kids succeed in life.
It is imperative we give back to America -- one community at a time -- for all the support we get from this nation. So as much as the recruiting mission is important, so is the mission they have to contribute to their communities.
We've got some real heroes across Recruiting Command -- professional Soldiers backed by exceptional Army Strong Families. Our recruiters work very hard to make mission, but they also work very hard to make a difference. Everywhere I went I met and heard stories about recruiters volunteering in their communities, schools and churches. It wasn't battalion and company commanders telling me the stories -- it was community leaders and educators bragging on our Soldiers. It's really rewarding to hear that -- I hope all our NCOs and officers know how much they are appreciated in their communities.
The role we play as ambassadors for the Army can never be overstated. Our recruiters are seamlessly embedded in America's communities, in many places where they are the only Soldiers Americans see and all they know about the U.S. Army. Every day our NCOs and officers represent every man and women in this uniform today, as well as everyone who ever donned the uniform. We can't screw that up.
Our veterans are very proud of us and we have to take every opportunity to ensure they know we are just as proud of them.
One of the coolest things I've seen as DCG is the tremendous support the military gets from America's communities. From the heartwarming reception and generosity shown to servicemembers at airports to the numerous ways communities salute their past, present and future military members, wounded warriors and Families - it's abundantly evident America loves its Soldiers. And if they have the wherewithal, they'll do anything for us.
What I've come to realize is the American people are incredibly appreciative of our Soldiers, and they truly give us something to fight for. Before I came to USAREC, what I'd seen was Hampton, Va., where I grew up, Ypsilanti, Mich., where I went to college, and the numerous military installations where I served. What I hadn't seen was America. This job has taken me from coast to coast and places in between, and I've seen how great this country is, how great its people are, and why it's worth serving.
As good as we are, though, there's still a stigma attached to the Army -- that it might be good for others, but not me or my family -- that we have to continually fight. That's not a negative thing -- we should be proud to continue to tell the Army story. This is such an important mission for our Army.
I only hope that in some small way I've made a difference not only in Recruiting, but for our entire Army. I will definitely be an advocate for USAREC wherever the Army takes me from here.
Editor's Note: Brig. Gen. Roberts transitioned from USAREC in July and is headed to an assignment as director of the Iraq Training and Advisory Team-Army, U.S. Forces-Iraq, Operation New Dawn, Iraq.
Social Sharing