Eyes and ears for the commander
Vern Hockney
Staff writer
Tucked away in a room on the second floor of the Leader’s Training Course headquarters are three men who are serving as the commander’s eyes and ears.
Capt. Al Williams, 2nd Lt. Christopher Harrison and Master Sgt. Scott Louis make up the quality assurance/quality control program at LTC, which began this summer. Their mission is to watch training, the interaction between Cadets and cadre, perform question-and-answer sessions and report all information they find back to the LTC commander, Col. David Hubner.
They are instructed to observe and make notes to “ensure compliance with the commander’s guidance … and training is conducive to Cadet success.”
Co. E 1/46th Inf. Cadets were given the opportunity to voice their opinions about their Leader's Training Course experience Wednesday. Photo by Austin Anthony
“We are not an investigative body,” Williams said. “We extend the commander’s eyes, ears and sometimes voice.”
Maj. Don Green, the assistant chief of training for LTC, said the QA/QC office functions much like the office of the inspector general. Both provide anonymous information to their commander.
But since LTC did not have an inspector general’s office this year, the QA/QC office was developed to gather information for Hubner.
To protect the parties involved, everything the office gathers is confidential. Cadets’ names are not used, unless extenuating circumstances exist; the question-and-answer sessions, or sensing sessions, are kept private.
The QA/QC team performs two 90-minute sensing sessions with Cadets in each company. The first is held approximately 10 days after training begins at LTC, and the last is held roughly four days before graduation. The sessions are comprised of 20 randomly selected Cadets, but with strict concerns for demographics. Such demographics may include race, age, sex and regional location of school.
After sensing sessions, Williams said his office gives company tactical officers a briefing encompassing the good points and possible ways to improve.
“It helps inform CTOs at the company by giving them a snapshot of what’s happening,” Louis said.
A report is typed and sent to Hubner after every sensing session.
A Cadet from Co. E 1/46th Inf. raises her hand during a sensing session Wednesday. Cadets are encouraged to share their views in a confidential setting. Photo by Austin Anthony
But the sensing session is not the only place Williams and his team gathers information. Sometimes they go to training sites and observe – randomly – or they may go to the barracks late in the evening and talk to Cadets casually – also at random times. They even check to make sure the air conditioners and washing machines are working in the barracks.
“When I walk through the barracks, I will put my hand on the AC unit and to make sure they are working,” Williams said.
While this may sound like QA/QC is all doom and gloom or something to fear, Williams and his team is not out to get anyone.
Williams said the team informs the commander of cadre whom Cadets feel are doing an exceptional job and gathers information about which courses are Cadets’ favorites or are the most challenging.
For example, Cadets enjoy when the drill sergeants take off their hats and become noncommissioned officer mentors because the Cadets are learning what the Army will really be like, Williams said.
“Also, something that comes up with every company is they all agree the food in the dining facility is tops,” he said, laughing.
