CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait –
A warm bed, hot food and a hot shower are basic necessities that every Soldier deserves while serving in theater.
Specialist Aaron Beireis, a human resources specialist assigned to U.S. Army Central (USARCENT) G1, goes above and beyond to ensure Soldiers receive these necessities. Beireis has amended nearly 8,000 temporary change of station (TCS) orders. His commitment and expertise has had a positive impact on Soldiers across USARCENT’s area of operations (AOR).
Recently, 19 Soldiers arrived in theater and were destined for Afghanistan. However, their orders were missing key information to accomplish their mission. Beireis worked long nights to amend their orders. Soldiers avoided weeks of living in transient billets because of Beireis’ hard work.
“Having been told the seriousness of the issues of those Soldiers,” said Maj. Kristjan Rauhala, assigned to USARCENT G1, “that they have no place to live and not getting the support they needed, he worked abnormal hours to process their orders instead of waiting.”
“I felt good about getting them a place to stay for the duration of their deployment,” said Beireis. “No one likes living in transient billets.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Little, 1st Theater Sustainment Command, presented Beireis with a challenge coin on March 7, 2019, for his quick reaction in producing orders to facilitate Soldiers moving from transient billeting to the barracks.
“I thought it was awesome that command sergeant major came in and presented it,” said Beireis.
Beireis’ role includes amending orders to authorize Soldiers to go to other countries in the AOR.
“I do my job fast so more Soldiers are able to get their orders and have their authorizations,” said Beireis. “They don’t end up stuck without barracks or without authorizations for where they need to go.”
The mission of USARCENT’s G-1is to develop and implement effective policy and lead programs that build sustained personnel readiness in the Army’s greatest asset: its people. Beireis exemplifies this mission.
“Soldiers such as Beireis doing their job, people don’t realize exactly how many Soldiers he’s touching through TCS orders,” said Sgt. 1st Class Matthew Bell, a human resources specialist noncommissioned officer in charge assigned to USARCENT. “They’re not on the front lines but they’re putting Soldiers there.”
Beireis meets Soldier’s requirements and maintains readiness while providing support in all components including the Active Army, Army Reserve and National Guard.
“One team, one fight,” said Rauhala. “Everyone here bleeds red, white and blue. He supports every single one of them.”
Beireis’s mobilization ends in June 2019, but he plans to extend for another tour to ensure the mission continues.
“He’s staying to ensure Soldiers will be taken care of,” said Rauhala. “That’s the best thing he can do, take care of the Soldiers.”