REGIMENTAL WEEK CELEBRATION
submitted by LTC
Eric SURLES.
The Finance
School hosted Regimental Week at Fort Jackson and the Adams Mark Hotel in
Columbia, SC, from 14-18 May 2001. The
week started off with the Pre-Command Course attended by 20 officers who will
assume command of active, reserve and national guard finance units over the next
twelve months, and the NCO and Soldier of the Year competition.
The week kicked
into high gear with the Finance
Leaders’ Meeting (FLM) 2001.
Our theme, “The Evolution Odyssey”, focused events on transformation
of the Finance Corps, as we continue to posture ourselves to deliver quality
Finance Support into the 21st Century.
BG Michael Rochelle, Commander, Soldier Support Institute opened the
session by welcoming members of the Regiment home to Fort Jackson.
LTG Billy K. Solomon, Commander, Combined Arms Services Command (CASCOM)
gave the keynote presentation. LTG
Solomon skillfully explained how the Corps’ new enabler, Future Finance System
(FFS) supports CASCOM’s future C4I architecture through GCSS-A; he left the
audience with an understanding of how the Army will achieve successful
Transformation. Commanders and CSMs from Battalions, Groups, and Finance
Commands, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, and its Operating
Locations joined us. Senior leaders
in attendance included Mr. Robert Young, Acting, ASA(FM&C), Mr. Ernest
Gregory, BG Hugh B. Tant, and BG Edgar Stanton.
Some attendees
shared FLM training comprised of enabler updates and demonstrations for FFS,
Finance Training Management Program, the Smart Card, and the Defense Management
Office Suite. A second group
participated in a workshop review panel on updating the Detachment Mission
Training Plan, while a third group participated in an Officer Task Review Panel
for OBC and FCCC. Other highlights
included leader Forums, interaction with Pre-Command Course students, and the
Regimental Run. The week culminated
with the Regimental Ball with a record attendance of 509 guests.
The highlight from guest speaker Director of the Army Budget, MG Jerry L.
Sinn, was a personal vignette of a Vietnam era NCO who portrayed the highest of
Army values – duty, selfless service, personal courage, and honor.
A GO-level Financial Management Symposium followed on Saturday, 19 May, to discuss the Finance – Resource Management merger. Overall, both events were a tremendous success. Regimental Week is always a capstone event for members of the Regiment throughout the world. Even before the dust has settled, we are planning for next year’s Regimental Week. The tentative dates are 12-18 May 02. I extend an invitation to all our Regimental Members to renew their commitment to the Regiment by renewing or once again becoming an active member. Hope to see many of you at the 2002 Regimental Ball.