Students graduate from Lean Six Sigma course

Five Soldiers from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command graduated from the Lean Six Sigma green belt course at the Learning Center on Landstuhl March 19.
The ceremony was attended by Brig. Gen. Jimmie Jaye Wells, the deputy commanding general of the 21st TSC, who stressed the importance of Lean Six Sigma, especially during this rough economy.

General Wells said that while people think the Army just “blows stuff up,” the Army should be run more like a business. The Army should be focused on managing its resources, such as finances and time.

“Those are the components that we are looking at in Lean Six Sigma,” he said.
The LSS course teaches students how to use data and statistical analysis as a way to figure out a solution to help a business or company run more efficiently. The green belt is awarded to students who go through the first step in LSS and are working on their first project.

To earn their green belts, the students attend a two-week course spread over two months with a one month gap in between to allow students to develop their projects.

For Sgt. 1st Class Nanette Williams, the communication plans noncommissioned officer in charge of the Special Troops Battalion, 21st TSC, earning her green belt was just the beginning. Her project is to find ways to improve the communication process in her battalion to help it run more efficiently and smoothly.

“It was very intensive but well worth it for our organization and it will help us improve our planning and operations process,” she said.

“Next to Soldiers, Lean Six Sigma is our professional inspiration. When you are looking for professional inspiration, learn about Lean Six Sigma,” said Sergeant Williams’ sponsor for her project, Lt. Col. Paul Iliff, the 21st TSC communications and information management director.

Twelve Soldiers from the European Regional Medical Command also completed the LSS green belt certification, which gave the course an added bonus.

“We had 17 people in the class. One hundred percent graduated, and it was well deserved,” said Richard Rhodes, the lead instructor for the LSS green belt course. “The medical world and 21st TSC made a good combination.”

LSS green belt courses are held four times a year. LSS black belt courses, which are a level above green belt, are held twice a year.