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Ensuring Readiness - The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s (1AD) Monthly Personnel Scrub Process

Bob Ortiz

• 3 min read
Ensuring Readiness - The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team’s (1AD) Monthly Personnel Scrub Process

Submitted by CW4 Alexander Pinckney, Chapter President, AGCRA Lone Star Chapter and NEC VP, Membership

The 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, also known as "The Iron Brigade", has implemented a rigorous Personnel Scrub (P-Scrub) process to maintain accurate and up-to-date personnel data across Battalion and Brigade levels. This monthly procedure is essential for ensuring mission readiness, tracking personnel changes, and maintaining compliance with deployment and legal requirements.

Understanding the P-Scrub Process

Battalion-Level Review

Each month, Battalion S-1s collaborate with their Battalion Command Sergeant Majors (CSMs) and First Sergeants (1SGs) to conduct a comprehensive personnel review. This review ensures all personnel records are current and correctly documented. By the last Friday of each month, Battalions submit their finalized P-Scrub data to the Brigade S-1 for consolidation and further evaluation.

Brigade-Level Review

Upon receiving data from the Battalions, the Brigade S-1 verifies and consolidates the information, making necessary corrections. The refined data set is prepared for the Brigade CSM P-Scrub Meeting and is also used to update the ReARRMS slide, which provides FORSCOM with an accurate personnel snapshot of the unit.

Data Sources for ReARRMS Slide Inputs

To ensure a thorough and accurate personnel assessment, the following data sources are utilized:

  • Authorized Strength - Based on authorizations in FMS Web.
  • Projected Assigned Strength - Derived from the unit’s Readiness Roster, incorporating projected gains and losses using data from IPPS-A’s Projected Strength Dashboard.
  • Legal Status - Units pre-fill information regarding Soldiers undergoing legal separation, action, or investigation. The Brigade Legal Team ensures accuracy through IPPS-A Flag Query.
  • Medical Readiness (MRC3 & MRC4) - The Brigade Surgeon Cell provides a MEDPROS pull to identify Soldiers’ medical deployment status.
  • Administrative Considerations - Includes Soldiers categorized as postpartum, without an approved family care plan, or undergoing adoption. The Brigade Surgeon Cell and Legal Team review these records.
  • By-Name Roster - Pulled from the unit’s readiness roster in IPPS-A, listing all assigned and attached Soldiers.
  • Projected Strength Dashboard - Tracks personnel gains and losses.
  • ReARRMS Query (via OBIEE in IPPS-A) - Monitors Permanent Change of Station (PCS) and Expiration Term of Service (ETS) dates.
  • Retirement Query (via OBIEE in IPPS-A) - Identifies approved retirements for personnel transition planning.
  • Professional Military Education (PME) Data - Provided by the Brigade S-3 Schools NCOIC, tracking Soldiers with a reserved ATRRS school date.

Leaders and personnel from the Brigade S-1 Team, Legal, and Medical sections conduct a (P-Scrub) alongside Battalion S-1 representatives and Battalion CSMs. This collaborative effort ensures accurate personnel accountability and readiness across the Brigade, demonstrating their commitment to maintaining operational effectiveness and Soldier welfare.

Monthly Battle Rhythm and Timeline

First Wednesday – Battalion P-Scrub Meeting:

  • The Brigade CSM meets with all Battalion CSMs to discuss non-deployable personnel and Commander decisions, with input from the Brigade Legal Team, Surgeon Cell, and Behavioral Health representatives.

Second Wednesday – Brigade Commander’s Review:

  • The Brigade Commander reviews consolidated P-Scrub data and determines final personnel readiness and assignment decisions.

Third Week – Division Submission:

  • The finalized ReARRMS slides are submitted to Division Headquarters for further review and analysis.

Origins and Evolution of the P-Scrub Process

The P-Scrub was introduced in the Fall of 2024, thanks to the efforts of key Brigade leaders. CSM (Ret) Jesus Penabustamante, the previous Brigade CSM, and CW2 Ariel Carter-Walker, the former Brigade Human Resources Technician, spearheaded the initiative. Their work was further refined under the leadership of CSM William Thacker and CW2 Tia Williams. Additionally, MAJ Brandon McFadden (Brigade S-1) and MSG Alphonso Carrasco (Brigade S-1 NCOIC) played crucial roles in shaping the process to its current form.

Points of Contact

For inquiries or feedback regarding the P-Scrub, please reach out to:

  • CSM Jesus Pena - jesus.h.penabustamante.mil@army.mil
  • CSM William Thacker - william.j.thacker2.mil@army.mil
  • CW2 Ariel Carter-Walker - ariel.m.carter-walker.mil@army.mil
  • CW2 Tia Williams - tia.t.williams4.mil@army.mil
  • MAJ Brandon McFadden - brandon.m.mcfadden2.mil@army.mil
  • MSG Alfonso Carrasco - alfonso.carrasco10.mil@army.mil

Leadership Oversight

  • Brigade Commander (BDE CDR): COL Douglas R. Baker
  • Brigade Command Sergeant Major (BDE CSM): CSM William J. Thacker

The P-Scrub remains a cornerstone of the Iron Brigade’s commitment to personnel readiness, ensuring that every Soldier is accounted for, prepared, and mission-ready. Strike Hard!

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