U.S. Army Lt. General Tom Metz addresses a recent meeting of the Alleghany Rotary Club.

Army Lt. Gen. Tom Metz addresses Rotary Club

U.S. Army Lt. General Tom Metz, who has served the country in uniform for more than 41 years, was the guest speaker during a recent meeting of the local Rotary Club.

Through the years, Metz has held command positions ranging from platoon leader to Army Corp commander. In 2004 and 2005, he commanded all of the ground forces in Iraq. He is currently the deputy commanding general and chief of staff of the Army's Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC).

Metz, a resident of Elkin and an Alleghany County property owner, enlightened the audience with aspects of current warfare, while addressing other issues as well.

After being introduced by Rotarian Dave Biggerstaff, who has a son in the service, Metz addressed the audience.

"I appreciate the opportunity so much because we don't get enough opportunities to get out into our country and share with you what's going on in our profession and the way we feel about things," he said. Metz then spoke of an all-volunteer force, noting it represents .5 percent of the population. "You can add the great civilians that support us and many contractors that support us, but you're not going to get the defense establishment more than a percentage of the population. (Of the) 300 million people in America, less than 1 percent really, really serve."

Metz went on to quote stats he had been given prior to his departure from Ft. Monroe.

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