ABRN: Can you tell us about your experiences during your most recent deployment?
RB: I spent one year in Afghanistan, responsible for about 8,000 contract linguists. This was much different from my previous deployment. I’ve always been out there as a commander on the battlefield and leading soldiers. This time it was much more relaxed and easy going. I spent much less time on the battlefield. I was in more of an administrative role, which was a change. I lead a team of 17 senior officers and sergeants and we provided contract linguist support to all the warfighters in the area. I was responsible in Afghanistan, Kuwait and Iraq and all through the Middle East. It was about an $800 million contract and we made sure the war fighters had what they needed to do their jobs. Our focus was to try and reduce the number of linguists and drive down costs. I think it was my business experience and combat leadership experience that got the department of the Army focused on Col. Benjamin to come in there and do this particular role. By the time I left, I had reduced annual expenditures from about $800 million to $400 million.
Watch Benjamin's complete interview at ABRN.com/Benjamin.
ABRN: Implementing lean is something you head up at Sterling. How have you applied your experiences from the Army?
RB: I came on with Sterling in 2000 and I came out of manufacturing where I was making automotive parts. That’s where I learned lean. The key concept between lean and the military that I was able to implement with the team at Sterling is the leadership and the focus on teamwork and the work ethic and respect and taking care of our people and our leaders as well as our customers.
RB: Sterling is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Allstate, which has been very supportive of my time with the military. They value not only me serving my country as a reservist, but also the leadership and operations experience I gained and brought back to Sterling. It is difficult in that I’ve always had two jobs. Both the Army and Sterling have been very collaborative in trying to find the time to allow me to do my advanced training and education and both of the jobs have meshed pretty well. And it has also been very fun to be a part of NABC, Recycled Rides and Operation Comfort. It has been interesting for me to be part of these things as both a military officer and collision professional.
ABRN: Why are Operation Comfort and Recycled Rides so important for those in the military?
RB: Sterling has been involved with Recycled Rides, sponsored by NABC, for about six years. At Sterling we’ve given multiple cars every year, and we really seek opportunities to give those cars to veterans or military families. Half of our giveaway vehicles are given to military families or organization that helps veterans.
Operation Comfort works in conjunction with BAMC (Brooke Army Medical Center), the local military hospital in San Antonio, Texas. This project has been key in trying to take our warriors who are injured and teaching them new skills, giving them the opportunity to try new things, to learn automotive repair, whether it’s body or paint work. It’s been very good at getting some of these soldiers out of a slump they may be in, especially after being injured, whether physically or mentally.
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