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The U.S. Army Reserve Command’s deputy commanding general for operations, Army Maj. Gen. Luis R. Visot, visited 7th Civil Support Command USAR Soldiers and civilians Sept. 7 to 9, here.
“Within those responsibilities I have 16 operational functional commands,” Visot said. “Seventh CSC is one of those commands. I just came here to kind of raise my awareness. I’m always looking for capabilities. What are the capabilities that units that we have in the Army Reserve provide. In this case, it is the 21st Theater Sustainment Command, U.S. Army Europe and U.S. European Command. It’s all about requirements and capabilities, whatever requirements that those higher headquarters request then we got to provide a capability.”
This was Visot’s first opportunity to come out to see 7th CSC, the only USAR command headquartered in Europe, and visit with some of the command’s various units.
Visot said the visit “gives me the opportunity to meet commanders (and) talk to Soldiers and see how they’re doing, because it’s kind of unique here in Europe the capabilities and the great Americans we have serving our nation.
“They play a critical role because of their missions, the foreign consequence management responsibility, the civil affairs responsibility, with other capabilities,” Visot continued.
Visot said he learned to focus on one question, “Do we have the right capabilities to meet the requirements as the forces in Europe are drawing down?”
He stressed that the 7th CSC plays “a critical function not just for EUCOM and USAREUR, but also for United States Army Reserve Command.”
“I think we need to have a footprint in Europe because we have individuals that are working in those entities as military technicians and DA (Department of the Army) civilians, so we got to provide them an opportunity if they want to serve in uniform as a reserve Soldier, Visot said. “We’re definitely twice the citizen. Not only do we have the responsibility to wear the uniform but we also bring those important civilian acquired skills, knowledge, and an education that allows us to serve twice. We’re serving the civilian world and we’re also serving our military world.”
On Friday, Visot visited wounded warriors at Landstuhl Regional Medical Center.
“It’s nice to have visitors,” said Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Forbess, from the medical transient detachment, USAR. The Decatur, Ill., native and former field artilleryman survived a 2003 Blackhawk helicopter crash in Iraq.
“Visits like this are appreciated more than they realize,” said Army 1st Lt. Brent Heber, a registered nurse with Company A, LRMC, after Visot spent time with two injured service members — one U.S. Soldier and one military member from the Republic of Georgia, as well as speaking with Forbess.
On Saturday, Visot observed the 7th CSC’s annual Soldier readiness processing event, which included him presiding over an officer promotion and an award ceremony for seven 7th CSC Soldiers as various family members looked on.
“It’s great,” said Army Staff Sgt. Jorge Tonge, with the Army’s 406th Human Resources Company, 7th CSC. Tonge received the Army Achievement Medal from Visot. “We served together in Iraq. I find it great he’s got contact with the troops. We need more of that.”
Visot watched and interacted with the 773rd Civil Support Team, 7th CSC while they conducted a situational training exercise in conjunction with an external evaluation and certification.
Every three years, U.S. Army North and NATO certify the 773rd CST on the unit’s preparedness for a possible real-world foreign consequence management event during a possible chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incident.
“It’s always about learning about what’s going on,” he said. “Today (Sunday), I have a better understanding than I did on Friday as to what this particular command has.”
“I would tell you visiting here today, (the) 773rd CST Civil Support Team was a highlight, having an opportunity to really see how they’re going through an external evaluation working very closely with ARNORTH (and) working with our NATO partners from Czechoslovakia. They are providing tremendous support to EUCOM,” Visot continued.
The highlights to me are always visiting with Soldiers, Visot said.
