FA 57 Officer Update
LTC Norman Spears
LTC Spears is the FA 57 (Simulation Operations) Proponent Officer

Greetings – It remains my privilege to build upon our functional area’s foundation while striving to keep FA 57 a vital valued asset for future warfighters and commanders.

Recently, I had the privilege of talking with a number of our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Hospital. I came away from our conversations more enlightened than they. These soldiers show tremendous spirit and dedication and certainly reinforced why we must continue to support commanders with quality officers. These are challenging times for our personnel managers as they fill priority positions, while attempting to give an operational ‘break’ to deserving officers and their families in Force Generating organizations. To maintain relevance and to best serve the needs of the Army, FA 57 Officers must be not only technically adept but operationally current.

Here is an update on a few topics of interest.

Community Engagement. One of the lead efforts that I have pushed since taking over this job is getting the Proponent Office out in the community to ensure we maintain visibility on issues and concerns. Admittedly, we are taking baby steps. However, since our meeting at I/ITSEC we have participated in Branch Day and conducted a panel discussion with the incoming students at ILE. COL McClung and the NSC provided excellent support during the discussions. With the assistance of Rod Barber we participated in the DOD M&S Conference and the Armor Warfighting Conference highlighting the importance of our functional area and its varied career opportunities.

SimOpsNet. Our transition from the Reflector to SimOpsNet has been highly successful. There has been great dialogue and collaboration on this sight, but we can do better. It is a tool for “your” use, so don’t be bashful and get on board. As you use this sight, provide us feedback on how to improve it, and identify additional capabilities you desire. Additionally, I think our community would benefit from increased participation from our Colonels on SimOpsNet.

Battle Command Officers in the BCTs. On 27 NOV 07, the HQDA G-3, LTG J.D. Thurman, approved the new Force Design, adding a FA 57 Officer to the Brigade Combat Team MTOE. The planned incremental implementation of the BCT

authorizations is designed to ease the burden of filling these new positions. However, this will remain a challenge for the next couple of years as we attempt to grow our force structure with repeated shorted accessions requirements. As part of a bridging strategy, we are offering training (the Battle Command Officer Integration Course) for non-FA 57 officers in BCT’s identified for upcoming deployments.

DIV/Corps HQs Redesign Efforts. Training and Doctrine Command is conducting a, CAC-led, refinement of the Modular Headquarters. Functional Areas, in general, are easy targets in these downsizing efforts. Nevertheless, we did yeomen’s work to ensure FA 57 remained in the Corps & Div HQs draft Redesigns. Based on feedback from OEF/OIF, the Knowledge Management Cell is a prominent addition to both HQs with FA 57 playing a significant role. In a climate of mandated HQs downsizing, we should embrace this emerging role our officers are currently filling in many units. The HQ Redesigns are not final, so if you are on Division or Corps staffs ensure your chain of command is aware of this Redesign effort by TRADOC and of the importance of protecting their FA 57 billets.

I/ITSEC 2008. The Proponent Office will be there and establish a series of meetings and workshops. We will use SimOpsNet to keep you informed as it develops.

This update is not intended to all-inclusive, but a brief summary of issues of interest to the FA 57 community in general. Feel free to send me an email if you have questions or pressing issues which need the Proponent Office’s involvement.

norman.spears@hqda.army.mil
(703) 604-0266 DSN 664