FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, talks to Soldiers with 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, after a physical fitness session at Waller Fitness Center March 31, 2021, at Fort Carson. Garrett talked with Soldiers to give words of encouragement and teach proper procedures for putting people first. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
By Spc. Ruby Torres
14th Public Affairs Detachment
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, left, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, talks to Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, March 31, 2021, inside the Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion building at Fort Carson. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, visited 4th Infantry Division leaders March 31, 2021, to engage in physical fitness, present awards and tour the Mountain Post.
The four-star general began his visit with a physical fitness session led by 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div., at the Waller Fitness Center. They conducted circuit exercises consisting of pull ups, pushups, deadlifts and the sprint-drag-carry — to name a few.
After the session, Garrett sat down with Soldiers to give words of encouragement and talk about putting people first. He also highlighted topics to include suicide prevention and awareness, racism, extremism and sexual harassment.
“It’s always nice (for me) to converse with the leaders of today’s Army to pick their brains about current events, changes and policies,” said Sgt. 1st Class James Toler, an infantryman with 1st Bn., 38th Inf. Reg., 1st SBCT. “Introducing younger Soldiers to leaders at Gen. Garrett’s level is beneficial because they see who is making decisions that impact their lives.”
As part of his visit, Garrett presented the Army Individual Award of Excellence in Safety to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Timothy E. Hall, an aviation safety officer with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Inf. Div. The award is presented to Soldiers with the most significant contributions in mitigating risk and implementing accident prevention initiatives and hazard control measures.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, boards a UH-60 Black Hawk with Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson; Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; along with other command team members for an aerial view of Fort Carson March 31, 2021. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
Garrett then boarded a UH-60 Black Hawk with Maj. Gen. Matthew W. McFarlane, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; and Command Sgt. Maj. Adam Nash, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson; as well as other command team members for an aerial view of Fort Carson.
Garrett also conducted a walk-through of the older housing complexes on post, which still accommodate Soldiers and Families. To embody Operation People First, he received feedback from one Family about necessary changes and improvements that would better their quality of life.
“He really wants us to make sure we are doing everything we can to integrate Soldiers and Families in the most effective way possible,” said Lt. Col. Michael A. Lueckeman, commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Battalion, 4th Inf. Div. “Anytime you have the opportunity to host a four-star general in your battalion headquarters — it’s an honor and a privilege. We are very fortunate just to have time to interact with him, and (we were) able to highlight some of our high-performance units like the 14th Public Affairs Detachment, the 4th Infantry Division Band, the Mounted Color Guard … and the recent success of our pre-ranger program, which had three honor grads.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, left, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, talks to Col. Nate Springer, commander, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Carson, during his visit to the Mountain Post March 31, 2021. The visit included a Black Hawk aerial view of Fort Carson, a visit to talk with Soldiers about post housing and a physical fitness session with division Soldiers. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, conducts a physical fitness session with Soldiers from 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, at Waller Fitness Center March 31, 2021, at Fort Carson. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, left, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, presents the Army Individual Award of Excellence in Safety to Chief Warrant Officer 3 Timothy E. Hall, aviation safety officer with 4th Combat Aviation Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, March 31, 2021, at Fort Carson. The award for Excellence in Safety is presented to Soldiers with the most significant contributions to risk mitigation, accident prevention initiatives, hazard control measures and safety program success. (Photo by Spc. Ruby Torres)