8th Theater Sustainment Command

Brig. Gen. Robin Akin, commander, commander, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Knox, Ky., talks to 45th Sustainment Brigade officers and senior leaders during a leadership symposium Feb. 9 at the Ko Olina Resort.

Brig. Gen. Robin Akin, commander, 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), Fort Knox, Ky., talks to Chief Warrant Officer 4 Daniel Elbe and 2nd Lt. Jeff Meier, both of the 45th Sustainment Brigade, during a leadership symposium Feb. 9 at the Ko Olina Resort.

Two senior logistics experts recently shared their knowledge with senior leaders of the 45th Sustainment Brigade emphasizing that sustaining the line requires more than the moving parts.

Although Brig. Gen. Robin Akin and retired Brig. Gen. Rebecca Halstead spoke in separate sessions during the brigade’s leaders symposium held Feb. 9 – 10 at the Ko Olina Resort, they both stressed that successfully supplying logistics is just as much about providing better leadership. Their message echoed the importance of senior leaders needing continuous training, coaching and mentoring.

It is a concept they know well. Akin is currently commander of the 3rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), considered one of the Army’s premier logistics command and control headquarters able to provide expertise in linking the strategic and tactical levels of logistics. Halstead is the former commander of the 3rd Corps Support Command. She served 27 years with and retired in 2008. She is the first female graduate of West Point to be promoted to a general officer and became the first female in U.S. history to command in combat at the strategic level when she led the 3rd COSCOM into Iraq.

Akin acknowledged that readiness and sustainment training have suffered due to increased tempo of combat missions, everyday operations and with the complications brought on by resource, environmental and infrastructure constraints.

“As we (as leaders) assume training, readiness and authority, we will continue to sustain the line with zest and professionalism ensuring all our units are highly trained and ready for missions today or tomorrow,” Akin said. “It is a great time to serve our Nation and the Army."

Because of their extensive backgrounds, the brigade command team hand-picked Akin and Halstead as the main guest speakers. They considered the symposium an opportunity to bring together all brigade leaders under one roof to tap into the first-hand experience of leaders who have been successful at the highest levels of logistics. The symposium also allowed participants to network and discuss upcoming missions.

“This learning experience is a privilege, and I am honored to be here,” said Staff Sgt. Tamari Lewis, noncommissioned officer in charge of brigade training. “They consider it networking, but to me it’s more coach and teaching that I am definitely going to put in my bag of knowledge to pass on to everyone that I come in contact with -- civilian, enlisted, and officers -- throughout the military.”

The first day of the symposium, led by Halstead, focused on professional development, and Akin directed the second-day topics, which concentrated on how leaders can positively influence sustainment organizations.

Akin summed up the symposium’s goal when she said leveraging sustainment organizations is a way to ensure that the operational readiness and sustainment training allow military forces to be prepared for all types of contingency operations. The point of the event seemed to hit home for many participants.

“Listening to both generals and the people who have come to enlighten us with all their knowledge speak, I feel very proud to wear this uniform,” said Sgt. 1st Class Keneidra Hargrove, NCOIC of the 524th Combat Service Support Battalion human resource staff. “I feel very blessed to be a part of something bigger than myself and to be part of an excellent team.”