JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Nov. 21, 2017) ─ Long-time Army civilian employees bring many attributes to the workplace, especially when they perform at the top of their game and take pride in their organization.
Thomas A. Bennett, who logged more than 57 years in the Army, was honored Nov. 20 at a retirement ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston. As awards, coins and flowers were presented and several colleagues spoke about Bennett's accomplishments, the event reiterated the tenets of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command's Service Culture Initiative.
The initiative is designed to integrate a shared culture of superior customer service and to deliver the best possible support to Soldiers, Families and communities to enable Army readiness. Providing the basis for that culture is support for IMCOM employees at 80 installations, so they feel valued, respected and empowered.
Given his many years of service, Bennett leaves big shoes to fill. IMCOM Chief of Staff Joe Capps said at the retirement ceremony, "You can't replace wisdom."
Bennett joined the Army in Atchison, Kansas, serving initially as an infantryman. After 26 years on active duty, which included posts in Korea and Vietnam, and three years in the National Guard on active duty, he retired as a Sergeant First Class.
In 1989, Bennett joined the Army Civilian Corps, in which he served for 28 years in several positions, including duties in Adelphi, Maryland; Arlington, Virginia; Washington, DC, and Crystal City, Virginia.
When IMCOM transitioned to Fort Sam Houston, he directed the successful execution of staff actions for the command.
Col. Michael Henderson, director of operations at IMCOM HQ, said Bennett was "always patient, calm and helpful" as his duties shifted in response to the command's needs.
The Service Culture Initiative states that if employees have engaged and caring leaders, feel valued and respected for the work they do, are properly trained, and live the Army values, they will in turn pass forward this positive attitude to their customers and their co-workers.
Melissa Sturgeon, deputy director of IMCOM G3/5/7, said Bennett exemplified a spirit of cooperation.
"You would never hear Tom say, 'That's not my job,'" Sturgeon said. "He was always willing to go the extra mile. If he saw something that needed to be done, he would do it. He led by example."
The initiative also notes that all employees deserve respect and the basic tools needed to be successful, including proper on-boarding, performance standards, training opportunities, empowerment, recognition programs and a commitment to hold one another accountable.
Antonio Jones, chief, taskings branch, G3/5/7, Operations Division of HQ IMCOM, praised Bennett's work in his branch, calling it one of the hardest places to work within the organization since it involves assigning specific duties to individuals.
"Thanks to Tom's patience, courage and his willingness to help, we all are able to achieve our mission," Jones said.
One of the Service Culture Initiative's goals is to create a culture in which the IMCOM team takes pride in the organization, fully understands and lives by its organizational values, feels valued and respected, and is led by engaged and caring leaders.
During the ceremony, Bennett thanked his colleagues for their kind words. "I love working with people, and you guys are the best."
His wife, Clara L. Bennett, also was honored at the event. The couple has been married 52 years.
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