Georgia Army 4th Brigade, Brigade Command Sergeant Giorgi Dzebisashvili (right) and Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Beam observes maneuvers and capability demonstrations explained by a 4th Brigade squad during Immediate Response 2008.

Georgia Guard senior NCOs discuss role with Georgian counterparts

Sgt.  Tracy J. Smith
48th IBCT (L) PAO

VAZIANI MILITARY BASE, Tbilisi, Georgia--24 July 2008 - United States and Georgian military senior enlisted leaders took time from training during Immediate Response 2008 at Vaziani Military Base in Tbilisi, Georgia to discuss the role of the senior non-commissioned officer and understand their respective military cultures. 

Introductions to the events and demonstration of capabilities for the Non-Commissioned Officers Day for the Georgia and U.S. military senior NCOs were succinct.  Their focus and predominant responsibility as sergeants major, first sergeants and advisors to their respective commanders was to strengthen and mentor the junior ranks.

“It is more important than ever to have a strong Non-commissioned Officers Corps,” began United States Army Europe Command Sgt. Maj. Ralph Beam. 

Beam, visiting Immediate Response 2008, complimented his host, Georgia Army 4th Brigade, Brigade Command Sergeant Giorgi Dzebisashvili for accommodating the American warriors and maintaining vigilance during the Global War on Terror.

“Much support and sacrifice has been given to make this training successful,” said Beam, who had only just returned from a visit to Iraq , where he inspected the Georgian Army’s troops there.  “During my visit to I witnessed the determination of the Georgian Army.  Your Soldiers have brought stability to that province of Iraq and helped to stabilize what was once a fragile infrastructure.” 

A formal overview of U.S. and Georgian NCO responsibilities focused on the commonalities and followed the evolution of senior enlisted leaders’ responsibilities. 

Moving from the classroom environment to the field, the leaders received briefings and observed demonstrations by the Georgia Army National Guard’s 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team’s 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.  The Soldiers have been training and mentoring their Georgia Army 4th Brigade counterparts during Immediate Response 2008 and learning a great deal in the way of cultural exchange and in preparation for their respective missions to Iraq and Afghanistan .

A scripted squad formation had Georgian and U.S. squads explaining each individual’s responsibilities within the ranks that only differed by native language and weaponry used. 

“First of all, the NCO realizes how important his responsibilities are and takes his responsibilities seriously,” said Dzebiasashvili.,  “He knows how he should react in combat and how to take care of his Soldiers.”

Corporal Vincent Nelms is a weapons team leader for Blacksheep Company, 1st Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment.  The Newnan, Ga. , resident aspires to be the leader Dzebiasashvili has become.  He cites his mentors as his command sergeant major and his 1st Sgt., Patrick ‘Pappy’ Eaton. 

Nelms’ squad participated in the activities of the day and later rallied his American and Georgian Soldiers to hydrate and ‘cool down’.  “One thing I have learned from my enlisted leaders is your Soldiers get fixed first,” Nelms said.  Hs uniform is tattered and discolored from days in the dusty Georgian terrain but his focus is evident. “I would do anything for my Command Sgt. Maj. Wilcox and Pappy.  They look after the Joes first.  I don’t think they sleep!  They make sure your training is on-point and won’t accept anything less because our lives depend on it.  I’m going to follow in their footsteps and make sure I do the same for my guys.”

Beam describes Soldiers like Nelms; as an extension of the senior enlisted leadership. “The senior sergeant is like the hand and those junior sergeants his fingers.  Through them you touch a lot of Soldiers and with him you can be everywhere if you train them properly.”