USAREUR commander visits 7th CSC

Story and photo by Spc. Glenn M. Anderson
221st Public Affairs Detachment


Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, U.S. Army Europe commanding general, and Command Sgt. Maj. David Davenport, U.S. Army Europe command sergeant major, visited Army Reserve Soldiers with the 7th Civil Support Command May 20 on Daenner Kaserne in Kaiserslautern.

After a command brief and lunch with Soldiers in the dining facility, Hertling took part in a question-and-answer style town hall with more than 100 members of the 7th CSC, including members of the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade.

“This has been an important visit for me,” Hertling said. “I can take this information to different countries and spread the word of what the 7th CSC can do and what they are prepared to accomplish.”

Soldiers’ questions ranged from what the USAREUR footprint would look like in the future to the strategic importance of the 7th CSC’s mission in Europe.

“It means so much for the USAREUR command team to come over in person and visit us,” said Brig. Gen. Mark Hendrix, commander of the  7th CSC. “Lieutenant General Hertling and Command Sergeant Major Davenport shared their thoughts on the way ahead, and they really enjoyed talking to our Soldiers and seeing everything they do.”

Afterward, Hertling listened to a presentation from the 361st CA Bde. about their recently successful humanitarian mission in Montenegro and their upcoming operation in the country of Georgia later this year.  

The final stop for Hertling and Davenport was at  NCO Field on Daenner Kaserne to see a static display with Soldiers from the 7th CSC’s 773rd Civil Support Team and some combat life saver training.

“I think it is great that we have visibility at the USAREUR level,” said  Master Sgt. Jeffrey Rutledge, a senior NCO with the 773rd CST. “It is a great opportunity to show our capabilities to the USAREUR commander.”

“It is nice that when he is in the area he takes the time to see what the 773rd is doing,” Rutledge added.

“I know that Army Reserve Soldiers have a tough life that I could not do,” Hertling said. “You all do some amazing things, and I want to thank all of the Soldiers. You are a great bunch of professionals, and you do a lot for USAREUR.”