FORSCOM's top enlisted Soldier visits Bragg to review future living and working conditions
February 4, 2011
By Jim Hinnant and Larry Stevens, FORSCOM Public Affairs Office (Forward)
Story Highlights
- FORSCOM's Command Sgt. Major Riling spent three days meeting with Soldiers and checking on progress for FORSCOM's move.
- Riling met with Picerne Military Housing representatives to review on-post housing opportunities for both single Soldiers and families.
- Riling and U.S. Army Reserve Command's command sergeant major held a joint town hall meeting with FORSCOM and USARC senior NCOs.
- Riling got a top-to-bottom look at construction progress on the six-level, 631,000 sq. ft. FORSCOM/USARC combined headquarters.
FORT BRAGG, N.C. (Feb. 3, 2011) - Command Sgt. Maj. Ronald T. Riling, the top enlisted Soldier for U.S. Army Forces Command, spent three days meeting with Soldiers and checking on the progress of construction projects in preparation for FORSCOM's move here later this year.
His first stop was with Picerne Military Housing to review on-post housing opportunities for both single Soldiers and families. He took a tour of Randolph Pointe, which offers single Soldiers one- and two-bedroom apartments and first-class amenities.
A visit to the Corregidor family housing area provided Riling with a trip down memory lane because he had lived in the area when he was a staff sergeant and with a look at how the older buildings have been renovated into modern homes with the most up-to-date conveniences.
"I'm really impressed with how Fort Bragg has made such a wonderful effort to take care of Soldiers and their families," he said.
Between making numerous office calls with the FORSCOM Forward leadership and Fort Bragg leaders and staff who will be greeting FORSCOM Soldiers over the next several months, Riling held a joint town hall meeting with the U.S. Army Reserve Command command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Michael T. Schultz.
They discussed a wide range of issues and decisions with FORSCOM and USARC senior non-commissioned officers focusing on the two headquarters' pending relocation from Fort McPherson, Ga., and general, Army-wide matters, including career development.
"There is already a close bond between FORSCOM and USARC that will only become stronger as we share our new the headquarters building that's under construction here at Fort Bragg," he noted.
"We as senior NCOs must work jointly and make this move happen smoothly and make sure that all our Soldiers, Army civilians and family members are taken care of."
In his first visit to the site of the new headquarters since July of last year, Riling got a top-to-bottom look at construction progress on the six-level, 631,000 sq. ft. complex.
With a focus on features designed to enhance staff working conditions and productivity, Ted Kientz, FORSCOM's lead LNO at Fort Bragg, walked FORSCOM's top Soldier through cubicles, conference rooms and break areas.
"I am amazed at how just how much the project has progressed since my last time here," said Riling. "The team here at Bragg has worked very hard, and the designers of the complex really put together a great place for our staff to work."
"The individual workspaces are really well-designed, right down to each person being able to adjust the airflow at his or her desk," he said. "I think our folks will be very happy with their new environment."
As the final stop on his visit, Riling got his first look at the largest temporary work site for FORSCOM Soldiers and civilians here. Known as Eagle Forward Base, several hundred members of FORSCOM headquarters will work in three structures outfitted with cubicles and connectivity.
Located across from the post's Stryker Golf Course, the warehouse-sized buildings will be ready for occupation in March and serve the command until late summer, at which time FORSCOM will vacate them and move everyone into the permanent headquarters. Once vacated, the site will be turned over to the Fort Bragg installation and put to its final purpose as much-needed warehouse space.
Forces Command and USARC will have completed their moves here by the end of this summer and Fort McPherson be closed by Sept. 15, in accordance with the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure legislation.