FORT EUSTIS, Va. –
Leaders and primary staff assigned to the 7th Sustainment Brigade's Headquarters and Headquarters Company gathered at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Sept. 6 to 10 to attend Battle Command Seminar training, a composite overview of tactical and information management lessons learned geared toward senior leaders and special staff as it pertains to combat operations.
"The BCS is a valuable tool bringing to light current topics in a specific theater's area of operation," said Maj. Grant Robitsch, assistant operations officer, 7th Sust. Bde. "Throughout our training, we were able to engage both the 43rd Sustainment Brigade based out of Fort Carson, Colo., currently deployed to Afghanistan, along with members of the Counterinsurgency Academy. Even though we learned about different areas of operation as they pertain to a deployed environment, we also took away areas where we need to make improvement. In due time, we will be a cohesive unit ready to face the challenge of deployment when it comes our way."
The brigade sent 85 commissioned officers, warrant officers, and senior NCOs representing all primary and special staff sections. The three days of seminar workshops focused on the operations decision making process, knowledge management, Battle Staff Integration, COIN [Company-level Counterinsurgency] Fundamentals, information operations, strategic partners, and distribution management," said Robitsch. "The seminar focused on training objectives pertinent to deployment to the Afghanistan theatre of operation; all participants came away from the seminar with a better understanding of operations in Afghanistan," said Robitsch.
Of special note, retired Gen. James T. Hill was the senior mentor throughout the session and provided insight into leadership throughout the seminar. He also took time to speak and answer questions during a lunch with the brigade's field grade officers.