Army Reserve CSM brings urgency to Baltimore Partnership Zone Conference
March 12, 2014
Story and photo by Nicole M. Woods, Baltimore Battalion A&PA
With U.S. Army Recruiting Command in danger of not making its Army Reserve mission for the third straight year, the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion Commander stressed a sense of urgency at its Partnership Zone Conference (PZC) in February. Who better to address this urgency but the top non-commissioned officer of the Army Reserve?
Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas Jr. emphasized recruiting incentives and benefits of ROTC and the Simultaneous Membership Program, while speaking to battalion company commanders and Reserve recruiters.
Hosted by Battalion Commander Lt. Col. David Dinkelman, the semi-annual conference brought in key personnel to strengthen synergy between the battalion, the Army Reserve units and ROTC programs within its footprint.
Dinkelman asked the Reserve units to hold open houses that involve the community and leaders, centers of influence, veterans and military service organizations, and schools to create a platform that allows the Soldiers to share their Army story.
Thomas, referring to the Reserve units as customers, emphasized how they can help solidify a recruiter’s efforts by leveraging their 18-24 year old combat veteran Soldiers to share their Army story with civilians.
“That’s a whole lot better than the 38-year old who doesn’t have much in common with the 18-year old,” he said.
Thomas instructed all command sergeants major to go into their recruiting centers and ask the station commanders where they need help.
“Networking and building relationships is vital,” said Thomas. “You need to dig the well before you’re thirsty. Build that well now and it will pay dividends later.”
Among the officials attending were Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg, senior Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Washington, D.C. He explained that building relationships is more than shaking hands and passing out business cards.
“You can enhance trust in the community when you seek out other people’s best interest,” he said.
Leverage organizations such as the American Legion when forming relationships, Goldberg reminded the Baltimore team.
“The American Legion is there to bond with Soldiers,” he said. “They want to be needed. Engage them and let them know they are important. That’s how they can help.”
Community VIPs like Goldberg are assets to USAREC, Thomas said.
“The Department of the Army has the CASA and the Army Reserve has Ambassadors who are retired general officers,” he said. “A lot of them are members of substantial organizations in the community. They can come out to link you up with centers of influence in the community. They can help you a lot and open some doors.”
Thomas challenged recruiters to get involved with community partners and taking advantage of Department of the Army and Army Reserve officials who can help them with their Reserve mission.
“Although we are in the community, we’re not always a part of the community and that is what we need to get better at,” said Thomas. “We need to be involved in everything from county fairs to local high school graduations and football games.”
March 12, 2014
Story and photo by Nicole M. Woods, Baltimore Battalion A&PA
With U.S. Army Recruiting Command in danger of not making its Army Reserve mission for the third straight year, the Baltimore Recruiting Battalion Commander stressed a sense of urgency at its Partnership Zone Conference (PZC) in February. Who better to address this urgency but the top non-commissioned officer of the Army Reserve?
Command Sgt. Maj. Luther Thomas Jr. emphasized recruiting incentives and benefits of ROTC and the Simultaneous Membership Program, while speaking to battalion company commanders and Reserve recruiters.
Hosted by Battalion Commander Lt. Col. David Dinkelman, the semi-annual conference brought in key personnel to strengthen synergy between the battalion, the Army Reserve units and ROTC programs within its footprint.
Dinkelman asked the Reserve units to hold open houses that involve the community and leaders, centers of influence, veterans and military service organizations, and schools to create a platform that allows the Soldiers to share their Army story.
Thomas, referring to the Reserve units as customers, emphasized how they can help solidify a recruiter’s efforts by leveraging their 18-24 year old combat veteran Soldiers to share their Army story with civilians.
“That’s a whole lot better than the 38-year old who doesn’t have much in common with the 18-year old,” he said.
Thomas instructed all command sergeants major to go into their recruiting centers and ask the station commanders where they need help.
“Networking and building relationships is vital,” said Thomas. “You need to dig the well before you’re thirsty. Build that well now and it will pay dividends later.”
Among the officials attending were Sherwood (Woody) Goldberg, senior Civilian Aide to Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Washington, D.C. He explained that building relationships is more than shaking hands and passing out business cards.
“You can enhance trust in the community when you seek out other people’s best interest,” he said.
Leverage organizations such as the American Legion when forming relationships, Goldberg reminded the Baltimore team.
“The American Legion is there to bond with Soldiers,” he said. “They want to be needed. Engage them and let them know they are important. That’s how they can help.”
Community VIPs like Goldberg are assets to USAREC, Thomas said.
“The Department of the Army has the CASA and the Army Reserve has Ambassadors who are retired general officers,” he said. “A lot of them are members of substantial organizations in the community. They can come out to link you up with centers of influence in the community. They can help you a lot and open some doors.”
Thomas challenged recruiters to get involved with community partners and taking advantage of Department of the Army and Army Reserve officials who can help them with their Reserve mission.
“Although we are in the community, we’re not always a part of the community and that is what we need to get better at,” said Thomas. “We need to be involved in everything from county fairs to local high school graduations and football games.”