SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii -- Garrison personnel learned the installation earned an "outstanding" rating during the Organization Inspection Program in February, conducted by Installation Management Command-Pacific, when the commander held a town hall at the Main Post Chapel, here, March 5th.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for what you do," said Col. Richard A. Fromm, commander, U.S. Army Garrison-Hawaii, expressing appreciation for personnel in the Army's fifth largest installation.
Fromm discussed future actions -- most importantly, potential sequestration, troop reductions and changes in leadership -- before wrapping up the town hall with employee recognition.
He said he has a budget for operations and maintenance, though it's not the one he wanted.
Regarding troop reductions, he explained that 30 separate bases are being studied of which Hawaii is one. Currently, there are 510,000 Soldiers in the active duty Army, but strength of 490,000 is programmed. If sequestration continues, he said, troop strength will be 450,000, or as low as 420,000.
He asked Soldiers and civilians attending the town hall to consider how reductions might affect our installations. The community listening sessions held at the Hale Koa Hotel in Waikiki and Leilehua High School in Wahiawa, in January, allowed the Department of the Army to hear comments, he said.
Army senior officials anticipate discussion and responses from the Chief of Staff of the Army in June or July of this year. Whatever is decided, civilians, as well as Soldiers will be impacted by reductions, he said.
Fromm encouraged personnel to learn and understand how their job affects installation protection, community readiness, infrastructure and energy, and mission readiness -- proponents of the U.S. Army-Hawaii Campaign Plan 2025.
Questions from the audience focused on VERA (voluntary early retirement program) and VSIP (voluntary separation incentive program). Fromm answered that any future tools for voluntary separation are dependent upon sequestration.
The town hall wrapped up with employee recognition. Sixty-six personnel received certificates, group awards or years of service honoring 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of performance from the commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Louis C. Felicioni, the garrison's senior enlisted adviser, and their directorate.
Shelly K. Leslie, chief, Outdoor Recreation, Directorate of Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation, was named Employee of the Year for 2014. She added two new programs to ODR, and expanded, grew and sustained ODR operations, to include expansion of MWR Kennel operations, adding 100 kennels. A total of over 175 kennels are now operational in the community.
"I was deeply moved," she said. "However, awards don't come from one person. Every civilian … that makes a positive impact on Soldiers' and civilians' lives are winners. It's all of us."
Tanya L. Laguatan, operations officer, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security, was named Employee of the First Quarter 2015. She was noted for her exceptional leadership, performance and service, which set a good example and positive role model for other employees.
"I was really shocked, and it was an awesome feeling," Laguatan said about her honor. "I am so grateful to be recognized by my bosses and the Garrison and DPTMS teams."
• Upcoming Events
--March 25, 7:30-9 a.m., National Prayer Breakfast at Nehelani, Schofield Barracks
--April 4, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Earth Day Festival, Weyand Field, SB
--April 13, 10 a.m., Installation Management Command-Pacific Assumption of Responsibility, Palm Circle, Fort Shafter
--April 14, 11 a.m.-1 p.m., Installation Volunteer Recognition Ceremony, Nehelani, SB
--May 22, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., Garrison Organization Celebration, Stoneman Field, SB
• ERP Photos
Employee Recognition Program photos are available for downloading at Flickr.
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