First Army commander conducts town hall

By Mr. Darryl Howlett (First Army)May 29, 2015

Town Hall
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – First Army Commanding General, Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker, shares a laugh with attendees of a town hall at First Army Headquarters on Rock Island Arsenal, Ill., May 27. Discussion topics included Operation Bold Shift and results of a recent command c... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Town Hall Audience
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ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Staffing in the First Army headquarters and the results of a command climate survey were the top two topics of a First Army town hall held here May 27.

First Army Commanding General Lt. Gen. Michael S. Tucker hosted the one-hour event with Soldiers and civilians in the First Army headquarters.

"I want to start off the town hall with a quick update on Operation Bold Shift. It's moving at a pretty fast clip," he said.

Operation Bold Shift is First Army's initiative to improve the command's ability to provide training support throughout the Reserve Component, even while reducing personnel and units. Currently, First Army has 8,000 staff members, down from 10,000 when Bold Shift began. Two of First Army's 16 training brigades have been deactivated so far this year, with four more scheduled to case their colors this summer.

"I'm trying to be as transparent as I possibly can," said Tucker, in regard to possible civilian staff reductions at First Army headquarters starting in 2017.

Tucker said First Army headquarters must cut eight civilian positions by 2017. However, the positions may be eliminated through early retirement programs such as Voluntary Early Retirement Authority/Voluntary Separation Incentive Pay.

After discussing First Army manning requirements, Tucker turned his attention to the results of a command climate survey, in which 50 percent of the command participated.

"I value your opinion and I value your comments," Tucker said. "Your input and comments help us sharpen the saw. (The surveys) help to improve the organization and improve the workplace."

Tucker and the staff discussed five categories of survey responses: leadership, communications, work environment, Equal Opportunity/fair treatment, and military/civilian work relations.

To improve communication between leadership and the workforce, Tucker announced several initiatives that will launch this summer, including suggestion boxes, leadership assessments, leader development programs, and a monthly "brown bag" lunch during which headquarters staffers will sit down with Tucker for informal discussions.

"It's important to me to know what's on your mind," he said.

Tucker said he plans to hold quarterly town hall meetings throughout the rest of his tenure as First Army commanding general.