The 143d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) hosted an operations training summit at its headquarters in Orlando, Fla. to encourage communication and collaboration between its staff and subordinate units.

Representatives attended the week-long event both in-person and virtually which provided a venue to establish the “way forward” as the new fiscal year begins and many of the command’s staff prepares for mobilization.

Col. Stephen M. Pazak, the command’s Chief of Staff, gave opening remarks to the assembled participants and reminded them of the importance of the event.

“Staff synchronization is critical to our operations,” he said. “Take the time this week to ask questions and get it right.”

The event was born from a months-long planning process spearheaded by Cpt. Reelena Gonzales, Plans and Collective Training Officer, who was responsible for the coordination and execution of the summit.

She highlighted the “face-to-face” nature of the summit as its most beneficial aspect as members of the full-time staff, including representation from both the command’s primary and special staff sections, could engage directly with members of the subordinate staffs to establish and build strong relationships.

“Getting to put a face to a person’s name was the biggest takeaway for me,” said Gonzalez. “We could immediately answer questions right on the spot in-person without having to rely on digital communications.”

These crucial links in communications and synchronization will pay dividends as the staffs continue to create shared understanding of their roles and responsibilities, increase their knowledge base, which will lead to future success.