Page 4 - The Dispatch Febuary 2017

GROWING OUR FORCE FOR
TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT

TOMORROW

yourself, “Am I training, mentoring and advocating for the
“Put your people first – Soldiers coming up behind me?” Our organization is con-
mentor them, challenge tinually growing and changing. In order to remain the best,
them and communicate we have to grow and change too. Find five people you think
with them. Building our would do well in your job, mentor them and prepare them FROM THE TOP
team today will result to replace you.
in a bigger and better
Texas fighting force CHALLENGE YOURSELF AND YOUR SOLDIERS WITH
tomorrow.” NEW OPPORTUNITIES. Encourage your people to take on

BRIGADIER GENERAL TRACY NORRIS new leadership challenges. Working at different levels, com-
DEPUTY ADJUTANT GENERAL - ARMY pany, battalion, brigade, etc., will help build you as a leader. I
COMMANDER OF THE TEXAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD had the privilege to serve on two Title 10 tours in the District
of Columbia with the National Guard Bureau. Having the
The Texas Army National Guard is the biggest Army National national perspective gave me a more in depth understand-
Guard and we are the best. As your new commander, I want ing at the strategic level and helped me grow as a leader.
to take a moment to introduce myself to you and share my I would encourage all of our leaders to take advantage of
vision for the future of our force – our Soldiers. opportunities like this, as well as, supporting your Soldiers’
efforts to do the same. The lessons you learn will be invalu-
The Adjutant General’s number one priority is putting peo- able to you and to our force.
ple first, and these people, our Texas Guardsmen, are our
future. We live in the fastest growing state in the nation and
in order to serve our state and our nation, we must be able “I challenge
to grow our force as well. We have to have the best Soldiers you to use the
– we have to get them to school and we have to ensure they diverse array of
are well trained. communication
tools we have
PLAN FOR THE FUTURE. Putting people first means main- to involve our
taining our readiness, growing our force structure and men- part time force
toring our people. From Commanding Generals to team more.”
leaders, Texas leaders need to do succession planning. Ask

4 TheDISPATCH FEBRUARY 2017