ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala. - As I write this column, I have been in office for approximately three weeks. Though my journey has just begun, I look forward to an exciting, three-year stint here at Anniston as your commander.
My first impression is this....We have one of the greatest collection of people I have ever seen. Absolutely amazing people. We have great leaders, great managers and a workforce who I believe love what they do and who truly understand how important our mission is.
Second, I am very impressed with our partners and our tenant organizations. Both are very critical to our mission and our success.
Philosophy, mission, vision.... I have been asked about all of these. As I pondered to communicate the right words, several things came to mind.
Priorities
Aca,!Ac Take care of our people - and in that regard, safety comes first.
Aca,!Ac Take care of the mission - reputation will bring the work...meeting schedule, cost and quality will keep the work coming for years to come.
Aca,!Ac To ensure we never lose sight of why we do what we do. Our customers deserve the very best from Anniston. It's the Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan who are riding in vehicles or carrying weapons that were repaired or overhauled right here. They have depended on you for the last eight years. You have proven yourselves by supplying them with quality equipment. That makes me proud and it should make you proud.
Vision
As most if not all of you know, Anniston Army Depot has an incredible reputation not only across the Army but across the entire Department of Defense. My vision is to lead a workforce that continues to strengthen that reputation every day. Being the Center for Industrial and Technical Excellent, or CITES, for combat vehicles, artillery and small caliber weapons is just where this next chapter in our history begins. We are working now and will secure CITEs for Strykers, large tactical and non-tactical generators, locomotives, and rail equipment. Let me make this simple, while I am the commander here at Anniston, we will be second to no one!
Outlook
While no one can predict the future especially one with considerable uncertainty....I do believe Anniston's future continues to be bright. If we continue to do what we have done for the past six decades, we'll be around for decades to come.
Times may get bumpy over the next few years but I do believe Anniston will weather through it and will continue to be the depot of choice.
My immediate expectations are that we should take care of each other and that goes up, down and across the organization. We are not only a team, we are family. The "we" attitude will drive this organization wherever we want it to go.
Let us remind ourselves daily of why we do what we do, and that is in support of the men and women who defend this great nation.
As I stated in my Change of Command remarks, my family and I are absolutely thrilled to be on the Anniston Army Depot team. To be on a team with such an amazing history and reputation is not only an honor, but a privilege.
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