HQ, IMCOM conducts town hall
U.S. Army Installation Management Command
SAN ANTONIO (March 26, 2013) -- Leaders of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command headquarters pledged to work through the difficult times ahead together as a "team of teams" as members of the IMCOM workforce continue to face an unsure way ahead into sequestration and furloughs.
LTG Mike Ferriter, IMCOM commanding general, and IMCOM CSM Earl Rice, called for unity during a "packed house" town hall meeting at historic Fort Sam Houston Theatre Mar. 26 to help ease the pain of the potential furlough.
"We cannot get through this tough road separately," said Ferriter. "We can do this together."
"You are a valued member of this team," said Ferriter. "You are creating stability down at the garrison, so that when [Soldiers] are overseas, their Family home is safe and taken care of."
Karen Perkins, IMCOM director of human resources (G1), gave an update on what is known about furloughs today -- even as decisions are still being made at the Department of Army.
"I wanted to relay the straight facts about furlough planning, but first I want to say that your leaders know how important this is to our civilian workforce," said Perkins. "No matter what we do, we can take care of our employees."
Due to a decision at the Department of the Army level, furlough notices have been delayed in order for officials to assess the effect of the continuing resolution bill presented by Congress.
"Last week, I thought we were in execution mode," said Perkins. "We got a pause, due to the continuing resolution. The result is we're going to hold up for at least 2 weeks." Changes made by DoD two days after the town hall pushed the earliest date for furlough proposals into May.
Sequestration furloughs are a three-step process: proposal, reply and decision.
"After proposals are sent, every employee will have seven days to reply to their supervisor, either orally or in writing. All replies will be considered by the deciding official, and then final decisions will be given in writing."
The exact manner of how the delay will affect the furlough schedule is unclear. Some implementation plans are still not settled without further guidance from the Department of the Army.
On March 28, the Secretary of Defense announced the reduction of furlough days to 14. "The maximum number of furlough hours is 176," said Perkins. "Part-time employee hours will be prorated based on their hours-per-week."
There are specific furlough exceptions for employees deployed in a combat zone and foreign nationals employed outside the continental United States. Nonappropriated fund employees are also excluded from furloughs regardless of how their positions are paid for.
"No one takes this lightly, we realize this will have an unprecedented effect on the workforce," said Perkins. "Our attitude must be that this is the most important thing we can do together."
The command is taking other steps to engage the workforce during these times, including stress training led by the Chaplain's office. G1 sponsored supervisor training, weekly "lunch and learn" speaker sessions and other spiritual counseling opportunities.
"We have the expert counselors in this headquarters who know the business of taking care of our Soldiers and Civilians," said Perkins. "We care about you. Everyone has something to learn and contribute. All I can say is grab someone and go take advantage of every opportunity."
Other details and announcements were made during a question and answer session, including how the furlough would be scheduled.
"Each garrison commander [in coordination with the senior commander] will make their own decision about furlough schedules but here at HQ, Friday will be furlough day," said Ferriter. "We listened to feedback from your leaders and decided that it would be best if you could tell your spouse and your kids 'you can count on me then.'"
"We want to be the best in the world and we want to do it right," said Ferriter. "As we build the capability to do what we do, little by little we go from over-hire to authorization. While we reshape, you need to continue to develop yourself and your team.…. That's as much certainty as we have today.
"We are good as an agency, but we are great as one of the best three-star headquarters in the Army," said Ferriter. "Taking care of Soldiers, Families, Civilians, Retirees and Survivors is what we do best. We have the skills and talent. Just give us a problem and we can solve it. The speed of action at the three-star level moves mountains."
There was an open discussion about the recent IMCOM leadership questionnaire and the survey results. While there was a high level of participation in the survey, the results showed an unacceptable rate of dissatisfaction among certain team members.
"We're still on the hurting side, not the healing side," said Ferriter. "The only thing we can control is our attitude. We will move these pipes."
"You know why we come to work every day," said CSM Earl Rice. "We have the best job in the world. No bad guys are going to get in the way."
LTG Ferriter briefly introduced and welcomed BG Jason Evans. BG Evans will serve as the new Deputy Commanding General for Operations. "General Evans is an inspirational leader," said Ferriter. "You're going to love working with him."
Ferriter and Rice presented a number of awards.
Christian Brandstrup of G1 was recognized for 25 years of federal service.
Miranda Murrell of G1 and Robert Barnett of G7 were recognized for 30 years of federal service.
James Dyson of G9 was recognized for 40 years of federal service.
Stancia Alarez of G3 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while assigned as an Operations Specialist, November 2011 --November 2012.
Thomas Bowersox of G3 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while assigned as the Operations Center Supervisor, June 2012 -August 2012.
Robert McGrath of G3 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as Operations Order Coordinator, April 2011 - April 2012.
Clark McChesney of the Central Region received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentor, January 2012 - December 2012.
Janet Kim of the Army Environmental Command received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentor, January 2012 - December 2012.
Linda Martinez of G1 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentor, January 2012 - December 2012.
Kelly Sandifer of G8 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentor, January 2012 - December 2012.
Ingrid Walsh-Brown of G1 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentee, January 2012 - December 2012.
Gregory Turner of the Central Region received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentee, January 2012 - December 2012.
Vance Penn of G1 received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentee, January 2012 - December 2012.
Kerrigan Davis of the Central Region received an Achievement Medal for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as a mentee, January 2012 - December 2012.
James Knight of G3 received a Commander's Award for Civilian Service for exceptional service while serving as an Airfield Staff Operations Specialist, May 2012 - November 2012.
Social Sharing