RDECOM consolidates, closes Fort Belvoir office

By Mr. Dan Lafontaine (RDECOM Public Affairs)June 2, 2011

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Mike Olin of Communications-Electronics Research, Development and Engineering Center and RDECOM Chief of Staff Col. John Kilgallon remove the command sign Jan. 7 at Fort Belvoir, Va. Seven military and civilian employees helped with a large socket wr... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. -- The U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command completed the consolidation of its headquarters Jan. 7, closing its Fort Belvoir office and relocating personnel to Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., as part of force restructuring.

RDECOM Chief of Staff Col. John Kilgallon hosted a small ceremony outside Building 1464 to mark the closing.

Kilgallon thanked the staff for its efforts during the transition and presented certificates of appreciation and an American flag to retiring Maj. David Webber, who served for 21 years and whose last duty station was RDECOM's Fort Belvoir office.

Robert Card, an RDECOM program analyst for current plans and exercises, said six military and 76 civilian positions have been transferred. Ten employees chose to relocate to APG.

Card said the consolidation impacts employees from human resources; information management; resource management; intelligence and security; operations; programs and engineering; and the command staff.

Employees who decided not to transfer will have at least 120 days on the Priority Placement Program to help find a new position within government before separation notices are issued, Keith Gordon, RDECOM chief of current plans and exercises, said in August 2010 when the Department of the Army announced the consolidation.

Employees accepting relocation to APG will be provided Permanent Change of Station orders and Department of Defense National Relocation Program assistance, Gordon said. DNRP provides relocation services to eligible DoD civilian employees so they may quickly sell their homes and locate housing at their new duty station.

Seven military and civilian employees removed the command sign with a large socket wrench, hammer, mallet and pry bar.

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Aberdeen Proving Ground

Research, Development and Engineering Command

Fort Belvoir