FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii -- U.S. Army Pacific held the first annual G-8 synchronization conference on Apr. 19-20. Financial managers came together to develop strategies to resource the force and to set conditions for success across the Pacific.
The two-day event laid out a mutual understanding of USARPAC priorities and provided an update of Army resource enterprise programs and discussions on planning for the upcoming fiscal year budget.
"If we're not getting the most out of every dollar for readiness, I can't look those parents in the eye and say I've done everything for their sons and daughters," said Gen. Robert B. Brown, commanding general, USARPAC.
Attending the conference were representatives from Headquarters Department of the Army, Army Financial Management & Comptroller, National Defense University, 25th Infantry Division, 8th Army, U.S. Armed Forces Korea, U.S. Army Japan, U.S. Army Alaska, 8th Theater Support Command, 94th Army Air and Missile Defense Command and 9th Mission Support Command.
Kicking off the synch conference was a detailed USARPAC command brief and open discussion on how to visualize requirements and resource objectives pertaining to multi-domain battle.
"The conference was an excellent opportunity to work together face-to-face," said Shar Kaina, G-8, USARPAC. "It allowed representatives to understand command challenges and strengths, fostering an improved team approach."
Contrary to typical "death by PowerPoint," three breakout sessions encouraged two-way dialogue on specialized areas like support agreements, the service contract process, integration of resources to support command priorities and preparing staff evaluation reports.
Participants also had the opportunity to brief their command's critical priorities as they posture for the upcoming fiscal year, allowing supporting commands to ask questions and clarify requirements.
"With world changes and evolving issues, mission requirements have changed" said Mak Araghi, U.S. Army Japan, G-8 Director. "The landscape has changed dramatically and we must be ready to be adaptive and flexible."
The exchange of ideas allowed frank and open discussion on current and future issues to develop partnerships necessary to build a stronger USARPAC resource management strategy to posture the Pacific Theater for success to face any eventuality or crisis.
"We are all one team and set each other up for success," said Col. Karen Hanson, deputy director, G-8, USARPAC. "If one of us fights tonight, we all fight tonight."