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| The Chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, serves Soldiers of TF 844th Engineer Battalion during lunch at the Camp Stryker dining facility, Baghdad, Iraq, on Christmas Day 2009. Photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Greg Murray |
By Sgt. 1st. Class Greg Murray
Task Force 844 Engineers
On Christmas Eve, 2009, the Chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jack C. Stultz came to Camp Stryker, Iraq to spend not just a day, but two days visiting with the Soldiers of Task Force 844.
On day one, divided into two groups, members of the Task Force listened to Stultz as he talked about the future of the Army Reserve, setting up an opportunity for each group to express its thoughts and ideas as well. Soldiers listened attentively as he painted a picture of his vision for the Reserve Component speaking on everything from changes in education and retirement benefits to the new alliances with civilian employers. His ideas were positively received by the Soldier audience, who added their two cents worth in a short question and answer period.
Expecting to be called to attention for the CAR’s exit, the three star had two surprises in store for each group. First, a few hard working Soldiers from each company were recognized for their efforts with a "Three Star Coin"…hard to lose a Coin Challenge with that, followed by personal photo opportunities. Though running well past the allotted time, Stultz took time to speak candidly with each Soldier, and pose for photographs before visiting project sites which was next on his agenda. Selected Soldiers had lunch with the general, again being afforded time for photos and one on one conversation.
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The Chief of the Army Reserve, Lt. Gen. Jack Stultz, talks one on one with Specialist Lazaro Villalobos over lunch at the Camp Stryker DFAC on Christmas Day 2009. Photo by Sgt. 1st. Class Greg Murray
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On Christmas day, along with other Officers, Warrant Officers, and First Sergeants of TF 844th , LTG Stultz donned a white plastic apron and a TF 844th Baseball Cap (Presented by LTC Roth), to serve the troops their lunch meal at the Dining Facility(DFAC) on Camp Stryker. After getting an entrée from LTC Roth, the Batallion Commander, Soldiers in line were delighted to be served a vegetable from none other than the highest ranking officer in the Army Reserve. Again, selected Soldiers dined with the CAR, creating a lasting memory of Christmas 2009 at Camp Stryker, Baghdad, Iraq.
On Christmas night, talking to my own family through the magic of Skype, my wife, feeling bad that I couldn’t be with her and our children, asked how my day had gone. I replied, “Well, after being served lunch by the Chief of the Army Reserve.”
