Photo By Christopher Fletcher | Fort Stewart DPW representative Brian Blumenfeld briefs the IMCOM-Readiness command...... read more read more
Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield employees had a frank discussion about additional possible personnel cuts, the new Futures Command and several other issues during a town hall chaired by the director of Army Installation Management Command-Readiness June 13.
The Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield Garrison leadership hosted the IMCOM-Readiness command team, Brenda McCullough and Command Sgt. Maj. Roy Rocco, as they visited the installation to observe Fort Stewart garrison senior enlisted leader, Command Sgt. Maj. Rebecca Myers’ assumption of responsibility ceremony; check the status of the post’s Mobilization Force Generation Installation efforts; and meet with employees and hear their concerns during a two-day whirlwind tour.
Col. Jason Wolter, Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield garrison commander, thought the town hall was an ideal forum for employees to hear directly from their senior leadership on issues affecting them.
“This is an opportunity for Ms. McCullough and (Command) Sgt. Maj. Rocco to get a chance to talk to you and turn it over to you to answer questions from your senior leadership,” Wolter said shortly after McCullough handed out about a dozen awards for excellence to the Fort Stewart and Hunter garrison team.
The senior executive--headquartered at Fort Bragg, North Carolina--opened the town hall, talking about the Army vision and how IMCOM fits into it.
She talked about Futures Command and the impact that would have to the entire Army.
“We have to create this new command out of hide and everybody gets a bill,” McCullough said.
Futures Command and the bill that comes with it led to a theme dominating most of the town hall -- proposed future cuts to IMCOM employees.
Across the enterprise IMCOM has reduced by 7,000 positions, McCullough said. She added the IMCOM Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, has made several trips to the Pentagon to advocate against future cuts.
“The latest round of cuts, they’re calling it the 5/10 rule – five percent of the headquarters and 10 percent of the workforce,” McCullough said. “That’s over an additional 1,300 positions, so Lt. Gen. Dahl has asked for an exemption.”
Though she added a decision is pending, she stated Dahl is confident IMCOM will receive the exemption for future cuts. However, even if IMCOM does not have future cuts, it also will not have future growth.
“I and my counterparts are cautiously optimistic that we won’t have to take any more cuts, but what that also means is that we won’t have any increases,” McCullough said. “So, we have to stick by the numbers that we have committed to Army that we will be able to execute our mission.”
McCullough’s visit to Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield confirmed for Rocco and herself the Stewart-Hunter team is doing its’ part to ensure Soldier readiness, a priority for the Chief of Staff of the Army.
“We’re checking things out for pride and ownership, and what I see this time, that’s different from the last time I visited one year ago, is the pride factor has been lifted. Your installation looks great,” McCullough said. “I also see this team has done a great job in caring for the Soldiers and Families on Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield.”
McCullough’s message to the Stewart-Hunter workforce highlighted the need for open lines of communication from top to bottom.
“I’m not trying to freak anybody out or scare anybody, it’s just the reality.” McCullough said, regarding personnel cuts. “I believe in being completely transparent. I will tell you that as soon as I get information I share it with your commander, command sergeant major and your deputy, my expectation is that they’re sharing it with you. Trust me as soon as I know, you’ll know.”
McCullough concluded she knows how Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield garrison employees feel about the proposed cuts in the future as she has been in their position coming through the ranks as an IMCOM civilian.
“I know it’s hard, I’ve done what you do,” McCullough said. “It makes me incredibly proud. I’m honored to do what I do every day, and it’s because of you that I get to have that honor.”
| Date Taken: | 06.21.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2018 14:37 |
| Story ID: | 281818 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 81 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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