Chief of the Army Reserve visits 7th CSC

The 7th Civil Support Command hosted Lt. Gen. Jeffrey W. Talley, chief of the Army Reserve and commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserve Command, Nov. 4 to 6.

During his visit, Talley met with troops at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center; attended a foreign consequence management capabilities demonstration; participated in a working lunch with several general officers, including Gen. Philip M. Breedlove, commander of  U.S. European Command and Supreme Allied Commander, Europe; and hosted a town hall for 7th CSC Soldiers, families and civilians.

Talley reinforced several key points during his first visit to the 7th CSC and Europe since he took command last year. The foreign consequence management mission, he noted, demonstrated several positive qualities.

“First, it shows the great capabilities of our citizen-soldiers, and as the Army’s Reserve, we have the 7th CSC stationed right here in Europe in direct support of U.S. Army Europe. And as I went around there were a couple things that caught my attention,” Talley said. “That is, first off, the passion that these Soldiers have for what they do, and, secondly, is how they take civilian-acquired skills and use those to help execute their military duties.”

Breedlove’s visit to the 7th CSC highlighted the second day. He led several general officers during a foreign consequence management demonstration event on the parade field next to 7th CSC headquarters.

“The fact that you had a combatant commander, General Breedlove, to take the time to come down and spend most of the day with the Soldiers of the 7th and realize what they’re doing to support the Army who supports him through U.S. Army Europe — that’s very impressive,” Talley said. “It’s very impressive that you have a combatant commander that really understands the importance that the Reserve has to help the active component get the mission requirements completed, especially in Europe.”

CSC personnel at all levels responded favorably to the visit.

“I think his (Talley’s) visit was a good opportunity for the command to showcase our capabilities in foreign consequence management,” said Capt. Joshua Koncar, logistics officer, 361st Civil Affairs Brigade, 7th CSC.

“Today was a great day,” said Brig. Gen. Paul M. Benenati, commanding general of 7th CSC. “We’re responsible for all the disaster response operations — what we call consequence management, which is typically known as a chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear event or accidental spill and humanitarian assistance and emergency preparedness.”

The command will continue to work with  EUCOM, the Third Air Force, U.S. Army Europe, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, as well as other general officers and senior civilians, Benenati said.

“We’re reviewing with them the plan for how we’ll go about meeting those obligations that they’ve given us to be responsible for those missions throughout Europe,” Benenati said.

Talley also spoke about his vision for the Army Reserve to support the Chief of Staff of the Army’s regionally aligned forces concept.
“We will take Army forces and align them, in this case, with the Army service component command in support of the combatant command,” Talley said. “For us, it means taking our combat support and service support — most of that is in the Army Reserve as opposed to the active Army and the Army National Guard — and aligning it to better support, in this case, General Campbell of the U.S. Army Europe and General Breedlove, the combatant commander for (European Command).”

On the third day of his visit, Talley responded to questions from a crowd of more than 100 7th CSC Soldiers, civilians and family members during a town hall.

Talley answered queries on topics including the effects of sequestration on the U.S. Army Reserve, future Reserve force manning, direct commissioning, Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention program, and suicide prevention.

“I just want to thank you for your commitment to the Army and the Army Reserve,” Talley said during his opening remarks at the town hall. “All of you should feel proud of being part of the 7th CSC, and I want to grow it and make it even better in the future.”

Attendees said the town hall provided an ideal opportunity to discuss relevant issues.

“I thought the town hall provided good insight on the strategic level on where the Army Reserve is heading and the direction of the Army Reserve in Europe,” Koncar said. “That was good for us to hear and understand.”