ORLANDO, Fla. – The Army National Guard hosted its annual Military Personnel Office G1 Conference May 2-4. This was the first time the group had met in person since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic over three years ago.
Lt. Gen. Jon Jensen, Director of the ARNG, attended the workshop along with more than 250 Army Guard officers and senior non-commissioned officers. Attendees heard from senior Army Human Resources leaders.
“When we’re together, we can share things that allow us to learn and grow as professionals,” Jensen said. “One of our greatest strengths as an Army Guard is that we are not all the same. Events like this are so important to us as a force.”
The G1’s role in the ARNG is to develop and implement policies that build preparedness to ensure the Army’s greatest resource – its people – are prepared for any mission, today and tomorrow.
Brig. General Lavetta Bennett, ARNG G1, opened the event with a keynote speech, addressing her G1 colleagues with a message of appreciation and enthusiasm. Bennett has been the top ARNG G1 for eight months and says the job has been the most rewarding of her career.
Bennett said one of the things she enjoys about coming to work every day is knowing that they put the people first and the members of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the territories that make up the National Guard exists, can support.
“Our conference theme is ‘Putting People First into Action,'” said Bennett. People First means treating everyone with dignity and respect. We have to make it clear to people that they are valued in our ranks. On the way to the Army of 2030, we must build cohesive teams and value the opinions of our soldiers.”
During the keynote and breakout sessions from Jensen, Bennett and Brig, there was a common message. General Hope Rampy, Director of Military Personnel Management; Command Sgt. Maj. John Raines, First Sergeant, ARNG; Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Stevens, Sergeant Major, Army Headquarters Section G1; and others: The Army is modernizing and the G1 community must keep up to meet the needs of American soldiers.
Jensen explained to the group that their contributions to modernization would allow the ARNG to continue fulfilling its ever-changing mission.
“The Army Guard of September 10, 2001 is gone and will never be back,” Jensen said. “Our role as part of the overall army is no longer to be a strategic reserve or an operational reserve, but to be both.” We are an integrated reserve. Integrated into the army as a whole – and the work of the G1 is of crucial importance for this.”
Ongoing efforts in the G1 community discussed during the symposium included full integration and implementation of the Army’s Integrated Personnel and Pay System (IPPS-A), meeting the 2023 recruitment target, and ensuring Soldiers are the Receive the benefits and services that are their due When it is time for a soldier to retire, he hangs up his uniform and knows he will be cared for and recognized as a soldier for life.
Rampy said ARNG leaders must continue to serve with an attitude that always puts people first. She said the Guards have a unique role to play in the entire Army and the Army must ensure the Guardsmen are taken care of and that starts with the G1.
“No one can do what the guard is doing. The guard is closest to the community. Our army needs the Guard,” Rampy said. “The permeability between all three compositions continues to be emphasized, emphasizing the importance of the entire Army working together as a team as we prepare for the Army of 2030.”
Jensen agreed.
“If we are not integrated at all levels of the army, we are in trouble,” Jensen said. “I firmly believe that preparing for the future is important and this is where it starts.”
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