ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL, Ill. -- Maj. Gen. Kevin O'Connell, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command and Rock Island Arsenal, addressed ASC headquarters employees and Soldiers, Nov. 25, to discuss the future after completing his first 90 days commanding the organization.
O'Connell's 90-day assessment was presented to Gen. Dennis Via, commanding general, U.S. Army Materiel Command, a day earlier. AMC is ASC's next higher headquarters.
Among the topics discussed were, Sexual Harassment Assault Response Prevention, support to deployed forces and providing globally responsive readiness, building and empowering leaders, taking care of personnel and families, and strengthening the command climate. O'Connell said these areas are his enduring priorities.
When discussing the SHARP program, the commanding general said it is everybody's responsibility to prevent sexual assault and harassment, "whether you're a leader or not."
O'Connell said he would chair monthly Sexual Assault Review Boards for ASC and Rock Island Arsenal, require monthly verification of 24/7 SHARP hotlines and monthly RIA SHARP newcomers briefings, and maintain a 100 percent fill of Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Victim Advocate positions.
O'Connell stated ASC is AMC's single face to the field to synchronize and execute strategic to tactical logistics.
"We are everywhere," he said, "strategically and tactically engaged."
With units and organizations positioned around the world, ASC's mission is truly global; including support to operations in Iraq, Afghanistan, and even Operation Unified Assistance in West Africa.
Because LOCGAP had an existing mission in Africa, it was able to quickly adapt and expand operations to support OUA.
"This is a good example that LOGCAP is very responsive and can help us get a quick start on this stuff," said O'Connell.
Another of O'Connell's priorities is building and empowering leaders. He stressed the importance of using existing experience in the ASC workforce to train new personnel.
"It's about preparing our future leaders, preparing the bench, if you will," he said. "We want to put a lot of emphasis on this."
O'Connell addressed some of the civilian personnel initiatives and challenges, noting that as a result of personnel cuts, ASC will request relief from the 1:4 hiring ratio.
That ratio describes a policy that requires the transition of four personnel out of an organization before that organization can hire a new employee.
Before taking questions from the audience, O'Connell talked about ASC's Combined Federal Campaign.
"What I want to make sure is that we have done all we can to contact and give the opportunity (to the workforce) to donate," he said.
The last opportunity to donate to CFC via cash, check or payroll donation on a paper slip is Dec. 15; the opportunity is extended to Dec. 31 for those who donate via payroll deduction using the MyPay system online.
O'Connell concluded the town hall by identifying risks and concerns for the future, specifically resource shortfalls without mission relief. But, he pointed out, ASC is adapting. It has internally reorganized and rebalanced existing resources, balanced risk and priorities to meet mission requirements, and has continued to successfully execute all directed missions.
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