SDDC's top NCO puts soldiers, training first

Translog: Journal of Military Transportation Management, Fall, 2004 by John M. Simpson

Soldiers of the Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command are a top priority to the highest-ranking enlisted Soldier in the command.

That's what Command Sgt. Maj. Tomfis Hawkins wants SDDC Soldiers in the state of Washington to be sure of.

'I put myself on the ground where the Soldiers are, and I listen to their concerns," said Command. Sgt. Maj. Hawkins as he and a couple of noncommissioned officers enjoyed lunch at a diner at the Port of Tacoma.

"They come first," he added. During a three-day visit with the 833rd Transportation Battalion in Seattle, SDDC's new command sergeant major made it a point to get out and educate himself as to the challenges Soldiers and their non-commissioned officer's face. Meeting with port personnel in Olympia and Tacoma, as well as listening to Soldiers and their concerns at the 833rd and 1395th Terminal Transportation Battalion were all part of his itinerary.

"I am a sponge, and I want to learn more," said Hawkins to a number of management personnel at the Port of Olympia. "I rely on the expertise of the NCOs throughout SDDC to complete the mission, but 1 want to be sure that my NCOs know the business of transportation," he said.

During his visit, Hawkins" ability to understand the finer points of the transportation world impressed several International Longshoremen Workers Union members. "He's quick, and he listens well," said one of the longshoremen. "He understands not only what we do during a load-out, he really knows what the soldiers are doing too."

In learning more about port operations and motivating NCOs, Hawkins' vision for SDDC is to simply provide better support for the warfighters. "I know that sounds simple, but their (warfighters) needs come first; there's no question about that," he emphasized.

In order to accomplish SDDC's mission, Hawkins believes that expeditionary knowledge, joint cooperation and "modularization" are necessary for successfully deploying and sustaining troops.

Expeditionary knowledge refers to how logisticians think in worldwide terms. "Our thinking is global. With the knowledge of what we have and how our personnel are trained, we can be where we need to be with minimum delay," explained Hawkins.

The concept of joint cooperation refers to working together with sister Services. "It is a team effort in any conflict we face," said Hawkins. "And we must maintain that level of understanding and even surpass it."

And last, modularization refers to successfully utilizing the capabilities of a particular transportation team.

"Think of it as a 'force package' where the talent of the team is vital to success," explained Hawkins. To further his example, he pointed to the work the 833d has recently accomplished in CONUS and in-theater. "A well trained unit does an outstanding job, and I have seen that here and in the other ports I have visited," he added.

To ensure Soldiers in SDDC continue to maintain their mission readiness, Hawkins has every intention of returning to motivate morale and look for other ways to improve. "I will not be a stranger," he said as he left a meeting with NCOs and management personnel at the Port of Tacoma.

"I will be back," said Hawkins.

Maj. John M. Simpson, 833d Transportation Battalion