FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general of U.S. Army Forces Command, left, conducts an after-action review with the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, after a live-fire training event April 7, 2022, at Fort Carson. Squads conduct live-fire training in order to certify and validate squads in preparation for future collective unit training. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
By Sgt. Clara Harty
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — This past week, Gen. Michael X. Garrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Forces Command, visited the 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson during a battlefield circulation to assess and observe new modernization efforts, training and readiness across the installation April 6 to 7, 2022. During his visit, Garrett participated in a multitude of training exercises and spoke with Soldiers and leaders across the installation.
“Today, everyone was on their game,” said Garrett. “My day started with physical training with a platoon. It was good, hard training. Everyone was engaged, and leaders were doing what I want leaders to do; lead by example, from the front.”
Physical fitness is the basis for everything Soldiers do in the Army, and Ivy Soldiers are athletes who train at higher altitudes and remain fit, motivated and READY.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Gen. Michael X. Garrett, Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command, left, is briefed on the common remotely operated weapon station (CROWS) mounted on top of an armored personnel carrier, Stryker, at Fort Carson April 7, 2022. The CROWS is a stabilized mount that contains a sensor suite and fire control software, allowing on-the-move target acquisition and first-burst target engagement. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
“I actually like the Ready acronym and the way Maj. Gen. Hodne and the leaders here described it,” said Garrett. “I remind people every day that we exist for one reason, and that is to fight and win our nation’s wars. You can’t do that if you’re not READY.”
Garrett was also able to observe training and modernization efforts within the Ivy Division and view a squad live-fire training exercise with 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div. Garrett observed 1st Bn., 12th Inf. Reg., 4th Inf. Div., deploy the new common remotely operated weapon station, or CROWS, on top of the armored personnel carrier, Stryker.
The CROWS is a stabilized mount that contains a sensor suite and fire control software, allowing on-the-move target acquisition and first-burst target engagement.
“I’m confident that Gen. Garrett absolutely shares in pride of this division, this installation, and our great Soldiers,” said Maj. Gen. David Hodne, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson. “I appreciate everything our Soldiers do, each and every day, to accomplish all missions. Simply put, Ivy Soldiers are READY — they respect each other, their equipment, the environment, and our enemy; they are experts in their craft; disciplined; and they know that it’s up to you, the individual.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Joshua Betty, 4th Infantry Division G3, center, discusses the division staff exercise (STAFFEX) with Gen. Michael X. Garrett, left, commanding general of U.S. Forces Command and Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, right, commanding general of 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson at Fort Carson April 7, 2022. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)
Garrett said the people are what make the Army and the Ivy Division great. The foundation of any group of people and culture is trust. The culture starts with leaders who care about their Soldiers and remain ready by leading by example.
Trust comes from trusting each other, knowing the person to your left and right has the individual mastery of technical skills, said Garrett, especially in the final yards between yourself and the enemy.
“Maj. Gen. Hodne talks about the last 200 yards, and I talk about winning at the point of contact,” said Garrett. “They are basically the same thing.”
Garrett said our fights would be won or lost at that point of contact, the final yards. That can be everything from a critical satellite shot to a field artillery crew making contact with the enemy. He said that his visit to the Ivy Division had been tremendous.
“This unit, this division is in a great place,” said Garrett. “I saw all sorts of great things. It is incredibly well led by tremendously talented NCOs and officers and, at the foundations of this, we have the best Soldiers in the world.”
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Col. Joshua Betty, 4th Infantry Division G3, center, discusses the division staff exercise (STAFFEX) with Gen. Michael X. Garrett, left, commanding general of U.S. Forces Command and Maj. Gen. David M. Hodne, right, commanding general of 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson at Fort Carson April 7, 2022. (Photo by Spc. Scyrrus Corregidor)