ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Illinois - First Army brought its Senior Advisors to the Army National Guard (SRAAGs) here Sept. 17-20 to better equip them with the tools to execute their mission. SRAAGs play a vital role helping First Army prepare Reserve Component Soldiers to deploy and succeed. Each state and territory has a SRAAG whose mission is to provide military advice and assistance to the state's Army National Guard commanders concerning organization, operations, training and readiness.
First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Mark Landes, outlined the importance of the conference and the road ahead during his comments to attendees. He discussed how SRAAGs mold and maintain the vital skill sets that exist in the Reserve Component.
“The citizen-Soldier is just amazing,” he said. “When you see the level of proficiency they can get to in 39 days, and you realize that most of us have been doing it 365. It’s impressive the level of proficiency Compos 2 and 3 can get to.”
Landes stressed how open and honest communication between SRAAGs and First Army increases readiness: “I’ve always told SRAAGs, ‘You are not a First Army spot.’ But what I ask all you is, I don’t really care where the units are at. I just need to know. There’s no judgement…the sooner I can account for it, the sooner I can program it in.”
Landes cited the example of a National Guard brigade combat team that required extensive assistance to execute its mission. Its leaders communicated their needs early in the deployment process and received the resources and time it needed.
“So what you’re doing for the state Adjutants General is showing them the Army systems can work in order to support them,” Landes explained. “You’re leveraging your relationships and, more important, you’re leveraging our relationships. If you’re having trouble getting schools, then you’re calling First Army. You want an airborne slot? Let’s figure it out. But you’ve got to tell us what you need. Tell me you need 10 airborne slots next year, I think that’s easy. Tell us you need them next week, you’ve just made it almost impossible.”
After the conference, SRAAGs returned to their respective states with a deeper understanding of the Army systems and resourcing that will set units in their states up for success.