With Furloughs in the rear view, IMCOM looks to future at Town Hall

By Robert Dozier

U.S. Army Installation Management Command

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO (August 15, 2013) - - Army garrisons are poised to deliver the right level of service to the men and women who deserve it in FY 14. The leaders of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command declared confidence at their town hall meeting that, thanks to careful planning and the efforts of the military and civilian workforce, they can see the future more clealy.

"Looking back on the mountain of work it took to get to the next step, all I can say is 'and so it is,'" said LTG Mike Ferriter, IMCOM commander. "It is in our DNA to take care of folks."

There are many funding and budgeting hurdles for the Army moving into the next years of sequestration. IMCOM has taken the tactic of accept, attack and move forward.

"When we consider authorizations and end strength, we are right where we need to be," said Ferriter. "If you sit in this position of traffic cop or sniper spotter, whichever analogy you choose to use, and you look at the whole organization, at the receiving end, the Soldiers are still being taken care of."

IMCOM Headquarters oversees all facets of installation management, such as construction; barracks and family housing; food management; environment programs; well-being; Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs; logistics; public works and installation funding.

"We manage a city which is larger than San Antonio proper, the 7th largest city in the United States," said Ferriter. "We have to be that good in what we do, and you should be rightly proud and challenged. Our ability to collaborate and partner with someone who wants to support Soldiers -- that's our sweet spot."

The Installation Management Command is ten years young and going strong, defining and shaping how the Army provides for Soldiers and Families who take on the mission. IMCOM is essential to the Army's mission success.

"I want you to stay with me on this journey," said Ferriter. "I need you to hang in there because our journey is a noble one. Hard times don't last, but hard people do."

The installation management community also expanded at Fort Sam Houston today as IMCOM welcomed the Atlantic Region in their uncasing ceremony. The Atlantic Region oversees installation management and support for Soldier, Civilians, Families and retirees at 38 locations worldwide including 38 garrisons, 12 deport guards and 4 Army Support Agencies.

"We welcome the fine members of the Atlantic Region team," said Ferriter. "With their arrival, all of IMCOM is on one campus serving our Soldiers. It's a great day to be in the Army."

"We are proud to be on this team," added CSM Earl Rice. "The rest of the Army is turning to IMCOM to see how we did it. What we did and where we are -- it came from right here."

During the town hall, LTG Ferriter took questions about the details of the budget planning and force shaping. He also addressed his priorities moving forward.

"My number 1 priority is to take care of people in every way," said Ferriter. "Starting with fitness and health, we want to assure our team is equipped for our mission. Then I want to honor, reward and thank them for what they do. If we can encourage, they will continue to innovate where we need it most.

"Give the little guy the comfort that when they are in harm's way, their family is secure and taken care of back home," added Rice. "We have the programs that are designed to intervene in a young Soldiers life. It takes every one of us working together to make it happen for them. Take a look to your left and right and thank your buddy for working this with you."

LTG Ferriter and CSM Rice recognized employees for their length of service and exceptional performance. Recognized at this town hall were:

• Gustavo Dejesus for 30 years service

• Dale Hewitt -- Commander's Award for Civilian Service

• Tamara Cruz-Mattos -- Superior Civilian Service Award

"You can't look in the rear view mirror and say 'I used to do this,'" said Ferriter, looking toward the future. "Surely that was important then, but now we have to keep our eyes on where we are going. Thanks for what you do today and call your mom and dad and your kids; save a life and have a good time.

Photos from the town hall can be viewed on IMCOM's photo share site at http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcom/sets/72157635080910925/.

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About the U.S. Army Installation Management Command:

IMCOM handles the day-to-day operations of U.S. Army installations around the globe -- We are the Army's Home. Army installations are communities that provide many of the same types of services expected from any small city. Fire, police, housing, and childcare are just some of the things IMCOM does in Army communities every day. Our professional workforce strives to deliver on the commitments of the Army Family Covenant, honor the sacrifices of military Families, and enable the Army Force Generation cycle.

Our vision: Ready & Resilient Army: Provide Soldiers, Families and Civilians with a quality of life commensurate with the quality of their service.

Our mission: IMCOM will synchronize, integrate, and deliver installation services and sustain facilities in support of Senior Commanders in order to enable a ready and resilient Army.

To learn more about IMCOM:

Homepage: http://www.army.mil/imcom

http://twitter.com/armyimcom

http://www.facebook.com/InstallationManagementCommunity

http://www.youtube.com/installationmgt

http://www.scribd.com/IMCOMPubs

http://ireport.cnn.com/people/HQIMCOMPA

http://www.flickr.com/photos/imcom/