Hon. Katherine Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Energy & Environment), and Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army (Installations, Housing and Partnerships), Mr. Paul Cramer, visited Fort Jackson March 22, to meet with post leadership and tour facilities.
"Having Ms. Hammack, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, here on post was really good for the installation" said Col. James Ellerson Jr., garrison commander. "At times, our leaders have a pretty good idea of what works well here at Fort Jackson and what challenges there are, but they get a much clearer picture and full understanding of reality when they get the opportunity to see things firsthand."
The ASA (IE&E) makes periodic visits to installations to obtain firsthand appreciation for installation readiness, infrastructure, environmental efforts and energy initiatives.
Hammack met with Ellerson and Maj. Gen Roger Cloutier, Fort Jackson's commanding general before commencing a tour of post facilities.
One of the main topics of conversation throughout the day centered on current and future budget constraints that are affecting everyone.
"(2017) is going to be a hard year, 2016 a hard one too," Hammack said.
She emphasized the necessity for identifying "where unnecessary risks are being taken," and the requirement for those issues to be adequately investigated to ensure funding is obtained where it is needed for proper mitigation.
"It's true," said Ellerson. "We have to make hard decisions as budgets decrease across the Army and (Department of Defense)."
"We want to make sure we are doing the right things with the money we are given," he explained noting the absolute necessity for being fiscally responsible with taxpayer's dollars.
The group toured facilities at the 120th Adjutant General Reception Battalion, looking at recent upgrades made, and areas that still require work.
"There's evidence that there are a lot of people (here) working to the best of their ability to ensure that Soldiers are provided for," said Hammack. "We need to work hard to try to get funding where it should be."
They also looked at proposed plans to move primary post access from Gate 2 to Gate 4. That would give Families a more direct route to Hilton Field where graduations take place and allow for perimeter security enhancements near Gate 2.
The group observed flood damage at Semmes Lake, and discussed environmental considerations for proposed future plans of the now dry expanse.
Hammack ended her tour with a stop at the post's central energy plant. Ann Garner, director of public works, briefed her on plant operations and several highly successful environmental programs including recycling and the post endangered species program.
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