Maj. Gen. Jim Rainey, the commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division, said he is working to make sure soldiers are good at the fundamentals, such as physical training, and that their families are being cared for when they are deployed.

Rainey took command of 3rd ID in Afghanistan in August. Since then, he has kept a busy schedule. He met with local news media at division headquarters Friday afternoon to discuss the status of the division and his thoughts on the community.

Topics of discussion included the deployments of 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team to Europe and 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team to Africa, the opening of all military jobs to women, the possibility of future deployments, and the new partnership with 48th Infantry Brigade Combat Team of the Georgia Army National Guard.

Even with his schedule and traveling, Rainey said, “I’ll just be honest with you, I love it down here … what a great place to live.”

Look for more details on Rainey’s discussion with reporters in Wednesday’s Coastal Courier.