ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. (September 18, 2015) -- The Commanding General of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command (ATEC), Maj. Gen. Daniel L. Karbler, conducted a command-wide virtual town hall meeting Sept. 15 at ATEC headquarters, Aberdeen Proving Ground.
Different from previous town halls, Karbler hosted the meeting via video-teleconference, which allowed the town hall to be broadcast in real-time to members of the ATEC family across the United States.
"This type of town hall gives me the opportunity to talk to the ATEC team about our mission and priorities, while viewers [ATEC team] are able to get that 'face-to-face' interaction with their higher headquarters," said Karbler. "It's a great way to get information to the workforce rapidly."
Karbler and his 'battle buddy,' ATEC Command Sgt. Maj. Andrew B. Connette, addressed the entire command for the first time since arriving in June.
"The first day I was at each place [test center], I would say 'I had no idea'… and what I'm referring to is what something [equipment] is going through [test processes] before it gets to the Soldiers' hands," Connette said. "It's extraordinary."
Connette briefly highlighted several products ATEC has assisted in testing and improving which have made significant impacts on Soldiers. "Soldiers have confidence using the equipment while they are in the field… and that's because of what each and every one of you [ATEC team] do every day."
Connette thanked the team for their unwavering dedication to making worthwhile contributions toward safeguarding and protecting the lives of our nation's defenders.
During the meeting, Karbler outlined the Army's Chief of Staff, Gen. Mark A. Milley's three priorities which focus on readiness, future Army, and taking care of the troops.
"Aligning with what the Chief wants, we are doing just that at ATEC," Karbler said, as he recognized individuals throughout the command for jobs well done.
"Maj. Gen. Karbler addressed everything that the workforce needed to know," said Mark D. McAllister, an information technology branch chief at ATEC. "He discussed ATEC's mission and vision and the new Chief of Staff of the Army's policies."
Karbler noted that when he took command, his priorities were to maintain a team of trusted, highly skilled test and evaluation professionals, provide first class testing and evaluation support up and down the command, and to determine ways to meet ATEC's fiscal challenge(s).
Karbler encouraged the team to improve communication skills up, down and across the command in an effort to prevent disconnection and miscommunication.
"Since I've been here, one of my observations is that ATEC truly has many dedicated, smart, and hard working professionals… and I appreciate that," Karbler said.
"Employees praised Maj. Gen. Karbler for taking time to acknowledge the hard work and dedication of all ATEC employees," said Kenneth Gritton, a technical director at Dugway Proving Ground in Utah.
After he delivered his 90-day assessment, he took questions from the workforce and concluded the town hall by sharing his hope that everyone feels part of the ATEC family.
Gritton spoke with his team after the town hall and noted their enthusiasm for the virtual format of the town hall and the sense of camaraderie it had generated amongst them.
Brig. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, the commander of the Operational Test Command (OTC) at Fort Hood, Texas, thanked Karbler for hosting the town hall and spoke on how well it was received across OTC.
Kamper also expressed his appreciation for how eloquently Karbler had related ATEC's testing missions to the Chief of Staff of the Army's priorities as well as for him recognizing the great work being done for the Army and the nation by great teams and their teammates across ATEC.
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