Maj. Gen. Flem B. “Donnie” Walker, Jr., commanding general, and Sgt. Maj. Jason Willett, senior enlisted advisor, both of 1st Theater Sustainment Command (TSC), held a Code 19 Forum at the Gen. George Patton Museum Sept. 5-6.

The forum allowed key leaders to understand the commanding general’s intent on what the 1st TSC is and how the 1st TSC operates. Walker said he held the forum to give his team a better understanding of command priorities, strategies, and standard operating procedures, culminating with the publication of the 1st TSC Code. The Code is a book published annually which includes documents that outline 1st TSC’s lines of effort, training guidance, leadership development and other pertinent information.

At the forum, Walker outlined two main priorities he wants to emphasize in the coming year.

“In 2019, we will be focused on setting the theater and re-enforcing security cooperation for the next year,” Walker said.

Walker spoke about the changing dynamic of the forum over the past year. 

“Code 19 is the evolution of Code 18,” he said. “Over the past 12 months we have undergone tremendous transformations –both in garrison and operationally, in the U.S. Central Command Area of Responsibility. We have become much more aware of our changing operating environment, how we function internally, and how we relate to and function as members of the U.S. Army Central team.”

Walker said the Code reflects the changes and evolutions by continuing to provide his intent.

“The forum allows identification of lines of effort, and permits leaders, Soldiers and civilians to quickly grasp the mission of the 1 st TSC and how we operate in an ever-changing environment,” Walker said.
Lt. Col. Alina Martinez, assistant chief of staff, G-1, attended the Code 19 Forum for the first time. She spoke about what information she took from attending this event.

“I’ve only been here for two months and I found this forum to be very informational,” Martinez said. “I learned how the unit operates, the historical process and why things happen.”

Martinez added that understanding the Code and the overall unit mission helps her to do her job more effectively.

“I understand why we have certain processes and why certain things happen in a certain way,” Martinez said. “I can understand how the unit operates much better now.”

Martinez also said she was glad the commanding general, command sergeant major and the chief of staff was all in attendance.

“Having all the primary staff there at the forum in a relaxed atmosphere was conducive for opinions being shared and heard,” Martinez said. “The senior leaders were open to changes based on our suggestions.”

The 1st TSC plans to hold Code 20 next year.