FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- One of my four "Commanding General's Priorities" is responsible stewardship, and I'm proud to say that here at Fort Jackson we do a great job properly managing resources to accomplish our mission.

The resources I'm speaking of are money, personnel, energy, water, the environment, equipment/weapons, post infrastructure, ranges, etc. Most often, the scarcest of those resources is money -- well, we know that's true today.

The Army faces significant budgetary uncertainty in the coming months, and we've been asked to take immediate steps to reduce expenditures. The fiscal situation and outlook are serious, but, in my opinion, it is nothing we cannot handle -- we've certainly done it before.

The uncertain fiscal year 2013 funding caused by the combined effects of a possible yearlong continuing resolution and sequestration, along with the need to protect wartime operations, may result in particularly severe reductions to base operation and maintenance spending. Due to this risk, the Army's senior leadership issued guidance to take immediate steps to reduce expenditures and conduct detailed planning in the event the budgetary cuts and shortfalls occur.

At this point, the steps will focus on actions that are reversible if the budgetary situation improves and should minimize harm to readiness. Given the magnitude of our budgetary uncertainty, the Army must act now to reduce its expenditure rate and mitigate budget execution risks in order to avoid even more serious future fiscal shortfalls. As noted, any actions must be reversible and minimize harmful impacts on Army readiness, particularly for personnel and units preparing to deploy.

Funding related to wartime operations and Wounded Warrior programs will be protected. In preparation for sequestration, Installation Management Command's operating budget was reduced by $2.2 billion, of which $2 billion was in facility maintenance, $138 million was in base operations and $64 million was in training support.

To date, Fort Jackson received a reduction in facility maintenance budget of $66.3 million, which includes $52 million in Training Barracks Upgrade Projects. The following directed actions will have some impact on Fort Jackson operations:

 Implement an Armywide hiring freeze effective immediately. Limited exceptions can be made for humanitarian and mission-critical purposes.

 Terminate all temp employees now and term employees when their appointment expires.

 Review current contracts and level of services provided to determine cost saving opportunities.

 Delay procurement of furniture and information technology equipment.

 Reduce temporary duty travel.

 Reduce utility consumption to the maximum extent possible.

 Execute a command-directed energy conservation program. The key element is direct involvement by commanders, noncommissioned officers and leaders at all levels to change learned behavior. Senior commanders will hold unit commanders, directors, tenants and heads of activities accountable for energy use in facilities they occupy.

 Temperature set points: Effective immediately, buildings will be heated to 68 degrees when occupied and to 55 degrees when not occupied. Buildings will be cooled to 78 degrees when occupied and 85 degrees when not occupied. Every degree difference yields a 1 to 2 percent reduction in annual heating/cooling cost.

 Take actions necessary to consolidate units, organizations and functions. Close buildings and turn off utilities.

 Cease facility maintenance activities (repairs) not directly related to life, health or safety.

 Cease all restoration and modernization projects, to include TBUP projects. Exceptions may be granted on a case by case basis.

Despite our fiscal challenges, Fort Jackson's priorities remain the same: Quality of Life, training, leader development and responsible stewardship. Our vision is also unchanged:

 To be the preeminent training center in the Department of Defense.

 To be the best duty station, post, community and unit in which its team members have ever served.

 To create an environment in which everyone can take initiative, learn, grow, make honest mistakes, have fun and accomplish the mission.

 To be an Army Communities of Excellence award winner in 2014.

We will stay focused on both the vision and our priorities throughout this period of uncertainty, and I will keep you updated as the funding situation changes or as we receive additional guidance. I ask for everyone's understanding and assistance -- please play your part. Regardless of what's on the horizon, Victory will continue to Start Here and we'll continue to accomplish our mission.

Victory 6!