The 85th Support Command hosted a two-day orientation brief informing active-component brigade commanders, currently working in a Army Total Force Policy implementation between First Army Division-West, and the 85th Support Command, of Army Reserve processes and systems, here, Saturday and Sunday.

"I'm very excited about the brigade command teams coming in to meet our 'Custer Division' Soldiers," said Brig. Gen. Frederick R. Maiocco Jr., commander, 85th Support Command. "I hope they will recognize (that) we are truly a multi-component team, and connected to their success."

One of the purposes of the briefing was to bring an understanding to incoming active-component brigade commanders about Army Reserve functions that directly impact their Army Reserve battalions assigned within their active-component brigades. The brief was provided discussing areas of personnel actions, information technology, operations, logistics, finance and medical readiness.

"Some active-duty commanders have experience working with Army Reserve units, while others have very limited experience," explained Col. Charles Stachowski, assistant chief of Staff G-4, 85th Support Command. "(The) brigades have a number of Reserve units in their formations. Clothing or equipment requests are not paid for by the Active Component. It all comes through the Reserve side."

In addition to assimilating Army Reserve processes of their Reserve forces, the active-component commanders valued the opportunity in strengthening relationships forged with their Army Reserve counterparts.

"This briefing is about relationships," explained Col. Jay Gallivan, commander, 402nd Field Artillery Brigade, Fort Bliss, Texas. "It's about bolstering the network between First Army, 85th Support Command, (U.S. Army Reserve Command) and the entire army. It's about Army Total Force Policy. This is where it comes together."

Army Total Force Policy brings the active army, Army Reserve and National Guard together as part of a total force concept, conducting integrated training together.

With regard to strengthening relationships, Gallivan, who in-charge of a multi-component brigade made up of active and Reserve battalions, said the Army must take of its people first.

"This (briefing) is about making sure that we take care of, grow and empower the people that we share between the 85th (Support Command) and (First Army) Division West," he said. "At the end of the day, if we do that, we can go train people across all three components, which is what we do. It's all about people."

Col. Randall Wickman, commander, 189th Infantry Brigade, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, found the briefing crucial, considering two-thirds of his battalions are comprised of reserve-component forces.

"For me, this is like the ‘State of the Union,'" he said. "I have to know what's going on."

Wickman is responsible for managing two budgets. One for the Active Component, and the other for the Reserves.

"The (reserve-component) budget drives how I can employ my battalions. To me, the fiscal discussion is combat power," explained Wickman.

In addition to ground-based brigades, army aviation was also represented at the briefing.

"Fifty percent of the total army aviation force is located in the National Guard and Reserve Components," explained Col. Chris Albus, commander, 166th Aviation Brigade, Fort Hood, Texas. "It's truly a total army effort."

Albus, one of the eight active-component brigade commanders that make up First Army Division West's infantry, field artillery, armored and aviation brigades, stated realizations in attending the brief.

"We've worked in combat with Reserve forces, but it wasn't until I got here that I realized the complexities (that) the Reserve forces go through, whether it's (weekend battle assembly) or bringing together a team for a mobilization from 10 different states."

Commanders at the brief received multi-component solutions for a multi-component force, and received the opportunities in strengthening relationships, but perhaps Gallivan summed up the value of the briefing the best.

"At the end of the day, we are all here to enable the success of the Army Reserve, Army National Guard and active army," he said. "That's what this is about."