Clem meets with 2-43 ADA Soldiers
‘Blackjack’ senior enlisted adviser visits troops

Sgt. Brandon Little

32nd AAMDC Public Affairs 

Since becoming the senior enlisted advisor for 32nd Army Air and Missile Defense Command in February, Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Clem has been on an “ADA express train,” ricocheting from installation to installation, meeting Soldiers and family members throughout the command. His latest stop was to meet with Soldiers assigned to 2nd Battalion, 43rd Air Defense Artillery, 11th ADA Brigade at Fort Bliss, March 10.

During his visit with the “Strength and Honor” Battalion, Clem addressed a wide variety of issues, such as sergeant’s time training, physical fitness, and the noncommissioned officer education system.

Clem’s meet-and-greet with the battalion started at 6:15 a.m. at Ironworks Gym. He joined Soldiers from B Battery, 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA in a vigorous circuit training workout using a little ingenuity and the gym’s equipment.

“I have a new Bowflex at home that I use all the time, and it has nothing on the workout we did; I was ‘broke off,’” said Staff Sgt. Katrina Jordan, a command group driver for 32nd AAMDC.

After the workout, and a break to freshen up, Clem headed to A Battery’s conference room for a meeting with enlisted Soldiers. During the session, Command Sgt. Maj. Evaristo Torres, the senior enlisted advisor for 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA, introduced the battalion’s enlisted leadership to Clem and they briefed him on their areas of responsibility. Clem then addressed some of the enlisted issues and areas of concern throughout the command.

“When it comes to training, we’re the ones who set the tone,” said Clem, who hails from Dallas. “It’s very important for me that you all continue to grow your young Soldiers and noncommissioned officer to be leaders.”

He also discussed the success ADA units have had during installation-wide tournaments and competitions here and at other posts.

 

 

“Never underestimate the capabilities of your ADA Soldiers” he said. “At Fort Bragg, there were Special Forces, infantry, and all different kinds of Soldiers; but our small population of Soldiers always rose to the challenge and kicked their butts in competitions.”

Once he finished speaking with the senior enlisted leaders, Clem met with nearly a dozen of the battalion’s platoon sergeants.

“When it comes to Soldiers, we have those who can and those who can’t,” said Clem, a former drill sergeant and graduate of the advanced master fitness course. “As leaders, we must figure out how to turn those Soldiers who ‘can’t’ – except for those who are physically hurt – back into Soldiers who ‘can.’”

Clem then presented a coin to Pfc. Anthony Hernandez, a Patriot launching station enhanced operator/maintainer for B Battery, for the PT prowess he showed Clem earlier that day.

“Out of all the Soldiers who were at [physical training] this morning, Hernandez was the only Soldier to accept my pushup challenge after the workout,” he said. “I was impressed considering I told him that he would have to low-crawl around the range if he lost.”

Clem concluded his briefing with the Strength and Honor Battalion by meeting Lt. Col. Alan Wiernicki, the commander of 2nd Bn., 43rd ADA, and a few of the staff officers.

After the quick staff call, he shared lunch and words of encouragement with senior enlisted Soldiers from the battalion.

“Change is good and there’s nothing wrong with it, but you have to use the systems in place to help your organization be successful,” said Clem. “It’s important to get your officers to believe in your plan, support your plan, and you have to continue to execute.”