Faces of the Fort: CoS synonymous with multi-tasking

By Mrs. Melissa K Buckley (Leonard Wood)May 29, 2014

Faces of the fort: CoS synonymous with multi-tasking
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The job takes multi-tasking to the extreme and requires the position holder to be on duty 24-7.

The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence chief of staff position is one that requires the ultimate diplomat, and the senior officer in that position is the connection between the MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood commanding general and all of the schools, brigades, detachments, tenant units and organizations on the installation.

"I am the interface between the post's commander and every other organization on this installation," said Col. Bjarne Iverson, MSCoE chief of staff.

"I'm a troubleshooter. I try to handle issues and initiatives at my level, so that the commanding general can focus his attention on larger things -- the core missions of this installation and doing our part as a Training and Doctrine Command Center of Excellence to train Soldiers and prepare then for what the nation needs them to do," Iverson said.

The overall concept of the chief of staff function can result in misconceptions about the job.

"I bring teams together. There is a lot of input. People have to feel free to contribute their thoughts, their ideas, their recommendations and their criticisms. The way I operate things is we try to achieve consensus. I try not to leave people out of the equation," Iverson said.

"I represent the senior commander, he ultimately has the responsibility for every thing that happens on Fort Leonard Wood. Some people don't realize that I actually make decisions for the command, with the authority delegated to me from the commander. That sometimes takes a little getting use to," he added.

Iverson said the best part about his job are the people he works with.

"The people who make up Fort Leonard Wood and the community are team players. They make my job easy," Iverson said.

He has been chief of staff since August of 2012. Iverson said, as an engineer and former 1st Engineer Brigade commander, moving back here was like coming home.

"This is a great place to end my Army career, as a colonel and an engineer. This is such a wonderful community," he said.

In June, Iverson will retire and begin the next chapter in his life by working for a private firm.

"I will miss the Soldiers and these tight military communities. They are the best in the world. Sometimes, I feel like I live in Beaver Cleaver's neighborhood," Iverson said. "I will also miss the dedicated civilians and professionals who in hard times and in good times are always focused on one thing -- the mission."

Iverson said his Family, much like every military Family, are the ones who have sacrificed during his Army career.

"The Families, my Family included, bear the brunt of responsibilities. I've been deployed for four years of the past 12. My Family contributed to their communities and under real stress kept moving forward. That is the strength of an Army Family unit."

"If I have any regrets, it's the time I spent away from Family and the fact that they didn't sign up for this, but they are having to experience it, too," he added. "That goes for all military Families and Department of Defense civilians."

Iverson hails from Virginia and is a graduate of George Mason University. He received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Army Corps of Engineers through the University's ROTC program.

Col. James Reckard III is set to take over the chief of staff position in July. Reckard is currently the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood on Flickr

Fort Leonard Wood Guidon Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonad Wood