Frank Washburn, director, 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, Air Force Sustainment Center, learns what it takes to operate a M2 .50-caliber machine gun on an M113A3 Armored Personnel Carrier during Adaptive Planning and Execution orientation program visit to Fort Carson March 22, 2016. (Photo by Capt. Shaun T. Manley)
By Capt. Shaun T. Manley
3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Fort Carson hosted Department of Defense senior executives March 22, 2016, as part of the twice a year Adaptive Planning and Execution (APEX) orientation program.
The executives were greeted by Maj. Gen. Ryan F. Gonsalves, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, after arriving via CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
APEX is a two-week developmental opportunity for newly appointed senior executives within the DOD. This program is designed to provide these executives a practical, as well as theoretical, understanding of the structure and processes of the office of the secretary of Defense, the military departments, combatant commands and the Joint Staff.
“This was a very unique experience,” said Maria Bentinck, program manager, Washington Headquarters Services. “With very little military background, I thoroughly enjoyed the opportunity to visit our military partners and gain insight and knowledge about all they do and how we can better support them.”
During the first week of the program, the executives gain joint and enterprise knowledge from personnel from the office of the secretary of Defense, Joint Chiefs of Staff, military departments and interagency senior leadership in Washington, D.C.
The second week of the orientation is spent at selected military installations and combatant commands; this time at the Mountain Post.
The visitors were exposed to service and joint operating concepts and environments and a perspective that encompassed leadership expectations, opportunities and challenges currently facing leaders within the DOD.
While at the 4th Inf. Div. headquarters, Gonsalves provided the executives a command brief and the group discussed opportunities and challenges currently facing leaders within the DOD prior to their movement to the 1st Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 4th Inf. Div.
At the motor pool, the guests met with 3rd ABCT leaders and were given the opportunity to observe and get hands-on experience at combat vehicle displays as they learned about the combat platforms from the Soldiers.
“We’re honored that our battalion was selected to demonstrate to these executives what our Soldiers do,” said Sgt. 1st Class Derrick Kolenda, platoon sergeant, Company C, 1st Bn., 8th Inf. Reg. “It is important for them to see how their decisions impact the Soldier where the rubber meets the road.”
The dialogues and information sharing that occurred throughout the executives’ visit to Fort Carson will enhance their understanding as they continue serving in DOD. The visit also built upon relationships and networking capabilities between the military and civilian contemporaries.
“Seeing the warfighters and where they are impacts me especially since I’ve only been with the Department of Defense about seven months,” said Cheri Tyner, director and head, Contracting Activity, Washington Headquarters Services. “Getting to interface with (the Soldiers) and see what they do … I am so glad I got to thank them for their service.”