By Master Sgt. Casey Nelsen
4th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson, provides opening remarks at the U.S. Army Forces Command G1 Manning Conference on post May 11, 2018. The 4th Inf. Div. hosted the annual conference this year that brought together human resources professionals from across the Army to discuss ways to maximize Soldier readiness. (Photo by Master Sgt. Casey Nelsen)
FORT CARSON, Colo. — “What can we do different?” asked the 4th Infantry Division commanding general, as he opened the annual U.S. Army Forces Command manning conference hosted on post May 11, 2018.
It was one of the challenges Maj. Gen. Randy A. George, commanding general, 4th Inf. Div. and Fort Carson, posed to the audience of human resources professionals from across the Army who gathered at Fort Carson this year to discuss ways to maximize Soldier readiness.
“This (conference) is really focused on how we can better predict how our smaller units are deployable and get out the door at the requisite strengths,” said Rick Porter, deputy chief of staff, G1, Forces Command (FORSCOM).
As the Army’s largest command, FORSCOM consists of more than 750,000 active-duty Army, Army Reserve and National Guard Soldiers. One step the command has already taken to support smaller units, is limiting headquarters personnel strength at the brigade, division and corps level to 105 percent of their authorized strength.
“The thought process is, the excess we have at those higher echelons are impacting the readiness at the lower echelons, like the battalions and companies. So if we can push people out of the headquarters, who are deployable, into those lower formations then we can increase readiness,” said Porter.
FORSCOM is working a number of other initiatives to get at the core of readiness issues. While not set in stone, one of those initiatives is increased promotion points or additional pay.
“That’s one of the reasons we’re here, is to get ideas of how we can improve incentivized deployability through policy changes and other actions,” said Porter.
Another way the command is looking to increase readiness, is through reforming physical training to be more reflective of the tasks performed by Soldiers in combat, while at the same time reducing injuries through a more holistic approach to overall Soldier fitness and well-being. According to Porter, 83 percent of Soldiers who are nondeployable are so for medical reasons, and half of those Soldiers are nondeployable because of orthopedic related issues.
While higher echelons tackle the institutional challenges, readiness is a responsibility for Soldiers at all levels, said the 4th Inf. Div.’s top human resources officer.
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The 4th Infantry Division’s top human resources officer, Lt. Col. Khanh Diep, far right, assistant chief of staff, G1, moderates a “hot topic” panel of senior Army human resources professionals during the U.S. Army Forces Command G1 Manning Conference at Fort Carson May 11, 2018. Panel topics included human resources transformation, readiness and talent management. (Photo by Master Sgt. Casey Nelsen)
“For the company commander and first sergeant level, squad leaders, they need to know the deployability of their Soldiers, down to what their ailments may be. What’s their nondeployable code? They need to know that their Soldiers are ready … not just ready to deploy, but other situations that may prevent them from deploying,” said Lt. Col. Khanh Diep, assistant chief of staff, G1, 4th Inf. Div.
Soldiers reaching their retention control point and submitting retirement paperwork is one of those situations. Diep said, leaders need to anticipate these types of situations and understand that a certain percentage of their formation is going to be nondeployable for one reason or another.
Soldiers can also work to ensure their own readiness by being knowledgeable of their entitlements and pay and keeping their records up-to-date.
“Individual Soldier readiness is knowing yourself, going through (your medical readiness profile) and what (is due annually) and also certifying your (basic allowance for housing) and DD 93 (record of emergency data), so in case something does happen, your benefits are transferred to your loved ones, and it’s the right folks,” said Diep.