The JRB News Serving the Soldiers, Families and Civilians of the Jacksonville Army Recruiting Battalion
Volume 15, No. 2, Winter 2012
Jacksonville, Florida
Become a Facebook Fan at http://www.facebook.com/ArmyRecruitingBnJacksonville
BECOMING STRONG. BEING STRONG. STAYING STRONG.
Becoming Soldier Strong
Photo by April Johnson
On November 8, during the Jacksonville Jaguars Military Appreciation Night at Ever Bank Field, Brig. Gen. David K. MacEwen, commanding general, Soldier Support Institute, Fort Jackson, SC, led nearly 180 new Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, National Guard, Marine and Navy new members of the Armed Forces in the Oath of Enlistment. Fifty of the new members took the oath to become Soldiers. After the ceremony, a new Soldier was overheard saying he’s got to keep this commitment since it was witnessed by thousands of people. In addition to hundreds of fans in the stadium, the event was televised live on ESPN.
2 The JRB News
Winter 2012
Hammer of the South Happenings Most photos by Jacksonville Battalion Public Affairs Office
Florida USAR Ambassador Leon Caffie joins the battalion commander after a joint-service swear-in by Brig. Gen. David MacEwen at the Jaguars Military Appreciation Night November 8. The battalion’s Community Advisory Board members Cheryl Grymes, new co-chair and her husband, Warren Grymes, and Derrick Jacobs, manager, Carrabbas, Atlantic Blvd., Jacksonville, also attended the event. Bonus meeting: Lt. Col. Grabski on the field with Deion Sanders.
Brig. Gen. MacEwen, Lt. Col. Grabski, Larry McDaniel and USAR Amb. Leon Caffie. Mr. Caffie is the new chairperson of the battalion’s Community Advisory Board.
Lt. Col. Grabski and Deion Sanders at Ever Bank Field before the halftime joint-service swear-in by Brig. Gen. MacEwen.
Valdosta Company - Community Connections: Masai Dalton, coach and mentor Sgt. First Class Masai A. Dalton has football and coaching in his blood. The eight-year Army veteran uses his passion for the sport as the other bookend of recruiting when connecting with the Tifton community where he works and lives. Sgt. First Class Dalton excelled in football at Seneca High School, in his hometown of Seneca, SC. His love for the sport continued at Clemson University--where he put on cleats while getting his Bachelor of Science degree in Management and Marketing. Dalton joined the Army right out of college in June 2004, and after completing his initial assignments at Fort Gordon and Fort Hood, as an External Switch Operator, was selected as a Detailed Recruiter. Photo by Caroline Dalton “I mastered the skill of planning, leading and organizing as a recruiter and wanted to give back to the community where my family lives and I work by volunteering as a football coach,” said Dalton. For the past three years Dalton has volunteered over 100 hours coaching as Assistant Coach with the Tiftarea Academy Panthers in Chula, GA. His efforts helped improve the team record and their quality of life as a team, which was one of his goals when he volunteered for the job. In addition to football, Dalton also lent his leadership and organizational skills to mentoring and assisting with the school’s weight lifting and physical fitness classes. Although Assistant Coach is not an official title, it’s the title most recognized when he’s dispensing his personal values, and the Army values, on and off the field. Coaching and mentoring is not a solo activity for Dalton. When he’s on the field his family is in the stands: wife, Caroline, nine-year old Masai II “Deuce” and seven-year old, Gloria. They support “Dad” 100 percent, he said. Sgt. First Class Dalton is proud of his relationship with the Tifton community where he’s highly respected for his outreach with the school. “I love working with the young men and women of Tiftarea Academy. I also love helping to build their confidence and ability to work as a team--qualities that we look for and cultivate in the U.S. Army.”
EVANGELIZE: The 2013 Scholar Athlete and JROTC Programs
The 4E’s of Soldiering: ETHOS, EXAMPLE, EDUCATE and EVANGELIZE
Winter 2012
3 The JRB News
From the Battalion Commander
Leading Leaders
Second, we need to be receptive to feedback and become an adaptive, learning organization. The toughest skills to teach leaders are initiative Soldiers and Families of the Jacksonville RecruiƟng and the willingness to try new ways to succeed. New tools like online schooling and Social BaƩalion, Media offer opportunities in both recruiting and family support, but the communications s we approach the holidays, I first and foremost want to say thank you for the hard work and great results from everyone. fields are already breaking into new ways of connecting people. Each high school graduating Over the past six months our battalion has experienced a class is slightly different from the one before, significant transition changing from a six-company structure down which is where we need to rely on new detailed to five; and from 32 recruiting stations to 16 recruiting centers. recruiters, HRAPs, and Future Soldiers to spur LTC Stephen J. Grabski the innovation. Although Facebook remains the Leading this transition has allowed me to reflect on two basic top social network, Pinterest has had a 4,000% and common ideas about success: professional dialogue and selfgrowth rate among Smartphone users. In conjunction with this trend, the improvement. These basics have allowed us to accomplish our population of high school seniors at schools continues to shrink due to mission, improve as a team, and support our families. dual-college enrollment. As of December 2012, almost 66% of high school graduates already have some college credits. We need to be receptive to First, as a professional organization, we must exchange changes like these and know what is happening in our markets. At the same information internally to ensure our continued improvement. time, these social changes are not only influencing our mission, but they Clear and candid dialogue across all functions, from family are also impacting our families through agencies we’ve come to rely on for support to recruiting operations, is critical to future success. family support such as Military One Source, TriCare, and the GI Bill. The I applaud Center Commanders as I have received great feedback key to successfully adapting to change is to know your environment. regarding the reception and integration of new Soldiers and Families into Recruiting Command and our local communities. Finally, I am humbled to represent such a great team of leaders. I know Additionally, our companies are cross-leveling innovative methods of prospecting and processing recruits and making teams and centers Jacksonville Battalion is a leader in USAREC, and our experience and innovation will keep us there. As we close out 2012, I wish everyone a more efficient throughout our area of operations. As we move into Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday Season. Watch out for your buddy, the holidays, professional dialogue is extremely important when it and always seek improvement for yourself, your family, and our battalion. comes to taking care of our team away from the office. During this time, where we have typically seen challenges with stress, alcohol, See you in 2013. Thanks for all you do!! and isolation, we need to sustain a peer-support atmosphere of open communication—not just talking about mission success, but also Hammer Strong! about Soldiers and Families’ resiliency and quality of life.
A
From the Command Sergeant Major
F
iscal Year 2012 was another successful year for the Hammer of the South. We finished in the Top Five in almost every measurable statistic in the Command; this was a direct reflection on the Soldiers, Civilians and Family members of this team. Thank you!
Fiscal Year 2013 is one of transformation for the Hammer of the South. Over the last few months we have said goodbye to two of our Companies (Charleston and Warner Robins) and welcomed a new Company (Daytona Company). We transitioned from Legacy Recruiting to Small Unit Recruiting (SUR). We consolidated our 34 Recruiting Stations into 16 Recruiting Centers and increased some leader’s span of control from 6 NCO’s to 16 NCO’s (in some cases). We are transforming our terminology using words like Engagement Teams, Recruiting Support Teams instead of calling everyone a recruiter. With transformation comes expectations, we are expected as Officers and NCO’s to be change agents and embrace the transformation. I want to share five keys to successful transformation that over the years I have put in my toolkit: 1. Define your vision for the future. Know the organizations current state and what the transformation will do to improve your organization. Ensure it is known to each member of the Team.
2. Visibly champion the cause (understand the doctrine and why it is important) showing strong leadership involvement and support. Ensure your team is properly resourced. 3. Look for early measurable wins to build and maintain momentum. Ensure you overcome obstacles and skepticism of your team. 4. Reach out and learn from others who have embarked on or are going through similar situations.
CSM Gary R. Stiteler, Jr.
5. Recognize, reward and celebrate organizational success on a regular basis. As a leader we have to have a clear concise vision with measurable outcomes that are realistic yet challenging. If you take the five keys above and incorporate them in your plans in my experience you will have a foundation for success. The last ingredient to ensure your success is simple LEADERSHIP. This is your ability to influence others to accomplish the mission by providing purpose, direction and motivation. I know as an Organization we have the right leaders on the right teams to ensure we transform USAREC and meet the Commanders intent! Thanks for allowing me to be your Command Sergeant Major. Embracing Change! CSM Gary R. Stiteler Hammer 7
SOLDIER FOR LIFE.
4 The JRB News
Winter 2012
USAREC First Sergeant of the Year 2012 Leading by example and educating Soldiers along the way, Gainesville Company First Sergeant Jonathan D. Jackson was named USAREC’s First Sergeant of the Year. Excerpt from the full story published Nov. 21, 2012, at http://www.army.mil/article/91692/ “First Sergeants don’t have to go to competition but it’s good to see E8’s competing to show Soldiers that we can still Soldier. The most important thing is training future leaders...not only in recruiting but also for the mainstream Army. You get promoted off the backs of Soldiers. Soldiers get you to those positions and I want to tell them thank you...”
Congratulations! Jacksonville Battalion’s 2013 Army All-Americans U.S. Army All-American Bowl The Nation’s Premier High School All-Star Football Game Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013 at the Alamodome http://www.usarmyallamericanbowl.com
Promotion to Staff Sergeant: Lt. Col. Grabski promotes (L) Staff Sgt. Brandon Johnson and (R) Staff Sgt. Santiago Rodriguez at Tifton Recruiting Center, December 3, 2012.
Recruiting Center Operations A&PA Quiz 1. What is the name of the system used to submit COI and battalion asset requests? 3. How much lead time is required when submitting all requests? 4. What email address should be used for communicating with the Advertising and Public Affairs Office? 5. When should AARs be submitted to A&PA? 6. When appropriate, what should accompany AARs? Bonus Question: How often should you post to the recruiting center Facebook page?
Ahmad Fulwood - Position WR, Bishop Kenny High School Derrick Henry - Position RB, Yulee High School Daniel McMillian - Position LB, First Coast High School Laremy Tunsil - Position OL, Columbia High School Nicholas Washington - Position DB, Trinity Christian Academy Amanda Schaad - Color Guard, West Port High School
Happy Holidays to the Soldiers,Families and Civilians of the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion and to all members of the U.S. Armed Forces and their families.
For the answers talk with your Center Commander.
Upcoming National Event: National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) Gator Nationals 14-17 March 2013 The Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion (JRB) News is an authorized publication under AR 360-81, published quarterly for members of the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, Jacksonville, Florida. Contents of The JRB News are not necessarily official views of, or endorsed by the United States government, Department of Defense, Department of the Army, or the Jacksonville Recruiting Battalion. The editor can be contacted at U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion, JRB News, Advertising and Public Affairs, 1851 Executive Center Drive, Suite 130, Jacksonville, FL 32207. Telephone (904) 396-2673, Fax (904) 396-4029, email: 3ebn-apa@usarec.army.mil. Visit the JRB website at http://www.usarec.army.mil/2ndbde/3ebn/ Follow on Twitter at @USArmyJaxHammer. Become a Fan at http://www.facebook.com/ArmyRecruitingBnJacksonville. Commander - LTC Stephen J. Grabski Chief, Advertising and Public Affairs - April Johnson
Command Sergeant Major - CSM Gary R. Stiteler, Jr. Editor - Cynthia Rivers-Womack