Photo By Ryan Morton | Command Sgt. Maj. Bonita Davis, Army Support Activity-Dix command sergeant major,...... read more read more
ARMY SUPPORT ACTIVITY-DIX, N.J., -- As part of its transition from a fort to Army Support Activity-Dix, the Town Hall meeting last week for the military and civilian workforce witnessed the unfurling of the mobilization center's new organizational colors that symbolizes the mission of preparing military personnel for operations around the world.
The Jan. 28 meeting hosted by activity commander, Col. Patrick Slowey at the Timmermann Center, was a forum for the activity's leader to brief the status of the transition and for workers to have questions answered. It was also an event to recognize the achievements of individuals across the ASA.
The transition from a post to ASA-Dix appeared to go smoothly, but the effort behind the transition did not go unnoticed and was mentioned by the ASA commander.
Slowey attributed the success of the transition to the dedication of ASA—Dix employees who sought out and fulfilled their new roles in the restructured organization. "I know that it has not been easy in some respects, but your efforts and patience have helped smooth the transition from Fort Dix to ASA-Dix and the Joint Base," he said.
The commander reminded everyone that they need to forward all successes and lessons learned with the joint basing to the Plans, Analysis and Integrations Office for sharing with other individual bases now transforming into joint bases.
Slowey appeared ecstatic to be able to unfurl the new ASA-Dix flag. Assisting the colonel were ASA-Dix Command Sgt. Maj. Bonita Davis and ASA-Dix Sergeant Major for Mobilization, Sgt. Maj. Anthony Young.
"It is important that we have our own colors and people realize that although we are not an installation anymore, we support one of the largest and busiest missions in the Army Reserve," Slowey said.
Future budgets
The Installation Management Command budget is going to be very tight this year and even tighter in the coming years. The IMCOM budget will see a $1.5 billion deficit this year alone, but ASA-Dix receives financial support from United States Army Reserve Command and most of the shortfall felt here will be made up by USARC. This may not be the case in coming years, as budgets will be tightening throughout the military for the foreseeable future, Slowey added.
ASA leaders provided personnel with a look into the recent IMCOM leadership change. Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch has assumed the position as commander. Lynch was the former commander of III Corps and Fort Hood and his priority first and foremost is Soldiers and their families.
ASA's higher headquarters leadership change.
ICE Awards
Tiffany Colby, customer service officer assigned to PAIO, announced the winner and honorable nominees of the Interactive Customer Evaluation (ICE) Award. The award is for team accomplishments in providing customer support.
The top three honorable nominees were the Network Enterprise Center, formally known as Directorate of Information Management, the Joint Readiness Center, and the Training Support Center. The winner of the ICE Award for the Fourth Quarter of Fiscal Year 2009 was IAP Worldwide Services.
Federal civilian recognition
Elizabeth Burrow and Valetta Love, of the Civilian Personnel Advisory Center, announced the nominees for the Civilian of the Year Awards.
In the category for Civilian Supervisor of the Year the nominees were John Hollis from the Staff Judge Advocate's Office, Luis Lopez from the Directorate of Human Resources-Military, and Teejae Wehunt from the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, with Hollis winning the award.
The category for Civilian Employee of the Year had four nominees; Brandon Baker from DPTMS, Edyta Czerniak from SJA, Anne Lamkin form DPTMS, and Gregory Miller from DHR-M, with Lamkin receiving the award.
Health, Welfare
Denise Horton, ASA-Dix's Alcohol and Drug Control Officer, addressed the subject of Seasonal Affective Disorder, a subcategory of depression mostly experienced during the winter.
Some symptoms of SAD are afternoon slumps with decreased energy and concentration, decreased interest in work or other activities, increased appetite with weight gain, excessive sleepiness, and social withdrawal.
As with other types of depression, antidepressant medications and talk therapy can be effective treatments for SAD. Light therapy to mimic the sun may also be helpful. Symptoms commonly get better on their own with the change of seasons.
She emphasized that everyone needs to be observant of each other's behavior patterns and seek help if it is suspected that someone may be suffering from SAD.
Bad Weather
The director of DPTMS, Dennis Bush, discussed the Inclement Weather procedures for ASA-Dix. On days of questionable road conditions and weather the Joint Base commander, Col. Gina Grosso, will assess information given to her by involved staff organizations and make a determination as whether to close the Joint Base. She, or one of her staff, will notify the ASA-Dix Emergency Operations Center of her decision. The EOC will confer with ASA leadership and assess mission requirements. A determination to close the ASA for duty will be driven by mission requirements. All pertinent information will be recorded on the ASA-Dix Weather Hotline by the EOC staff no later than 5 a.m. The EOC Weather Hotline is 609-562-4328.
Q&A
Slowey took time to receive and address questions from those gathered. "It is very important that you realize that your questions are legitimate and deserve to be addressed. We, at the senior level, will do our best to get you answers because you deserve them," he said.
One of the questions addressed pay differential due to work locations throughout the Joint Base. The commander promised to take the issue to Congressman John Adler of the New Jersey 3rd District. "I will phone him and I will go see him and we will get you an answer," Slowey said. He said Adler has been instrumental in working the pay issues for the Joint Base so he expects the congressman will have no problems helping get a fair resolution for the situation.
Feedback Request
Stephen Melly, deputy to the commander, has requested feedback through e-mail or a written response that address workforce concerns. The questions, he would like answered are the following:
•Was the ASA Dix Town Hall of any value to you?
•Did the meeting provide value added information?
•Was the meeting too long or too short?
•What would you like to have discussed at the next Town Hall?
•Was there a question that you wanted to ask but you were reluctant to bring up?
•Finally, do you have any suggestions to improve the Town Hall meeting?
Individuals can send their e-mail responses to stephen.melly@us.army.mil
| Date Taken: | 02.16.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 02.16.2010 09:43 |
| Story ID: | 45412 |
| Location: | ASA-DIX, NEW JERSEY, US |
| Web Views: | 255 |
| Downloads: | 164 |
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