SEAC renews faith in total force

Published April 20, 2012
By Airman 1st Class Ryan Throneberry
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N..J. -- Sergeant Maj. Bryan Battaglia, senior enlisted advisor to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, visited Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst April 14 and 15.

The SEAC is the principal military advisor to the chairman and the Secretary of Defense on all Total Force matters.

Battaglia's visit to JB MDL was intended to give him a closer look at some of the ongoing missions. He was also able to address the enlisted personnel of all five services at the world's premier joint base during an enlisted call.

The SEAC's first order of business was attending a no-host social April 14 where he addressed members of the 99th Regional Support Command. The RSC is responsible for more than 300 Army Reserve facilities, 400 units and 51,000 Soldiers and civilian employees.

Battaglia's first stop on his tour of the base was the C-17 Globemaster III flight simulator located within the C-17 Training system where he sat behind the controls in a state-of-the-art piece of equipment. He experienced the full capabilities of the simulator as the instructor pilot took him through several scenarios including a take-off, air refueling and an approach.

Following the simulator, the SEAC headed to the Timmermann Center, where service members and spouses from every branch awaited his arrival. The intent of the enlisted call was to have an open conversation with the enlisted force pertaining to the current climate within the Department of Defense as well as answer any questions they might have.

Battaglia's message focused on the importance of keeping faith during the current reshaping and reorganization of the Total Force. He gave two keys to maintain faith within the force to ensure the U.S. military stays as strong as ever. The first key he mentioned was to understand that military families play a vital part in the effectiveness, readiness and retention throughout the Total Force. Secondly, he stressed the importance of trusting leadership to properly train and educate the enlisted force so that they will be ready to accomplish any mission.

"Have trust in your leadership," the SEAC said. "We are at the tables, serving as a voice in the best interest of our service members and their families. If our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen have faith in us and vice versa, we will get through these challenging times. I don't want anyone to think the sky is falling."

Battaglia was sure to clarify that while these may be difficult times, this is not the first time a restructure has taken place and the health of the DOD is in good hands.

"The force is doing fine," he said. "While folks are concerned with the potential uncertainty, we have addressed and are working to upgrade, remodel, enhance and augment many issues currently challenging our organization."

The SEAC visited the Dix Medical Simulation Training Center for his final stop following the enlisted call. Battaglia witnessed advanced combat life saving medical training as his last stop before departing.

"Sergeant Major Battaglia got to see first-hand combat life savers in action," said Sgt. 1st Class Conrad Ballare, MSTC site director. "The MSTC is designed to train service members from all branches on initial combat life saver training. Early treatment saves lives on the battlefield."

As The SEAC toured the base, he had much to say about the impressive nature of the joint base.

"It is the only tri-service base within the DOD and something that large and robust certainly comes with its share of unique challenges," the SEAC said. "Having all five services represented here projects a great optic; it really defines a joint base. I would like to see this base become the template in which future joint bases can perhaps model their success."

Battaglia's final message to the plethora of service members stationed here was to remember why each of them chose to serve.

"We are a special breed of people, ladies and gentlemen," Battaglia said. "We are part of the greatest team sport in the world. America loves us because we are a trusted institution who serves with integrity and we will never waiver the high ground. That's what your country thinks of you. Isn't that worth serving for?"

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