FORT KNOX, Kentucky (April 7, 2015) - Brig. Gen. William K. Gayler, Director of Human Resources Command's Officer Personnel Management Directorate, was frocked with his second star April 6 in a ceremony at the Maude Complex on Fort Knox.
More than 40 officers and senior NCOs joined Gayler, his wife Michele, and their daughter Samantha for the frocking, which was conducted by Maj. Gen. (P) Stephen J. Townsend, recently confirmed to become commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, via video-teleconference from Fort Bragg, North Carolina.
The Gaylers' two oldest daughters, Katie and Maggie, observed the ceremony via FaceTime.
Townsend recounted first meeting and working with Gayler while deployed to Iraq, where he watched him tutor and mentor current and future leaders.
"I have seen him enforce this through the train up of a generation of officers in our career field, teaching them to develop a process of critical thinking that supports the Soldier on the battlefield. He's the kind of commander who is always thinking about the Soldier on the ground," he said.
"This service is about people," Gayler said. "Thank you to each and every one of you for making me a better person. It's really not about me. It's about everyone that ever put on a uniform to serve our nation."
Gayler leaves HRC to become Deputy Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany, after serving 14 months as director at OPMD. In that time, he oversaw the consolidation and reorganization of Command Management Branch, thus allowing HRC to better slate command teams across the Army.
Under his leadership, OPMD initiated the launch and development of Cyber Branch, identifying key personnel to manage this emerging career field, the first Army branch to be stood up since 1987. OPMD also expanded broadening opportunities, including strategic seminars at the graduate education level. A similar emphasis on positions with private enterprise, such as Training with Industry, also contributed to refining talent management within the force.
Gayler traveled widely during his tenure at HRC, engaging senior Army leaders and troops in the field to explain the capabilities of the officer inventory to meet requirements and increase the percentage of field units meeting the Army Manning Guidance.
He emphasized the need for leaders across the force to exercise transparency, compassion, and commitment in explaining the Army's need to manage drawdown requirements mandated by Congress. He insisted on honesty and openness in a dialogue with Soldiers to explain the force-shaping mechanisms, such as selection and separation boards, being employed to maintain a properly balanced force aligned to projected end strength targets.
Gayler also led the charge in raising awareness to explain the new Officer Evaluation Report, with its emphasis on rater accountability, clear assessment messaging, and revised counseling and support forms. The new OER will enable Army leadership to maintain readiness to meet future requirements while building a leadership that brings depth and experience to the force.
His previous command assignments include Deputy Commanding General (Support), 7th Infantry Division; 101st Combat Aviation Regiment (DESTINY); 3-101st (EAGLE ATTACK) Aviation Regiment; A/1-14th Aviation Regiment; D/2-227th Aviation Regiment; and C/2-227th Aviation Regiment, in addition to a wide range of staff assignments in Army Aviation.
Gayler's major deployments include Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, 1990-1991; Former Yugoslavia/Bosnia-Herzegovina, 1995-1996; Operation Iraqi Freedom I, 2003; Operation Iraqi Freedom V-VII, 2005-2006; and Operation Enduring Freedom X, 2010-2011.
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