Jackson CG highlights driving safety, transition efforts

By Brig. Gen. Milford H. "Beags" Beagle Jr.February 28, 2019

Beagle
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There are two subjects that I will emphasize this week. One is a safety concern; speeding and texting while driving. The other is setting our Soldiers and Families up for success as they transition to the next phase of their lives and leave our Army.

What's on my mind:

1. Speeding and texting. We as a community need to be more cautious while we drive. Command Sgt. Maj. Gan and I have noticed drivers on post speeding, texting, not following traffic signs, and driving around barricades that block physical training areas from vehicular traffic. Some drivers are also not using hands-free devices in violation of post policy.

Fortunately, we have not had any motor vehicle-related accidents or injuries as a direct result of driving violations. However, if we continue breaking traffic laws and violating established policies, it is only a matter of time before disaster strikes.

It is completely unacceptable and unsettling that in the past two months, Fort Jackson police have issued 66 citations just for speeding offences on post. We have to and can do better as a team.

Of these 66 citations issued, nine were issued Armed Forces Traffic Tickets used to cite military personnel for traffic offenses. The remainder were issued Central Violations Bureau tickets used to cite Department of the Army Civilian workers, contractors, and civilian visitors and can also be issued to military personnel when deemed necessary.

To be clear, if you violate traffic laws on post, the consequences could be very steep. The cost of a speeding ticket, not including the $30 processing fee, can be as much as $200. You will also lose points from your driver's license and potentially increase your insurance premiums. Serious or multiple violations can ultimately lead to suspension of driving privileges on post.

Way Ahead: The Provost Marshal's Office increased police patrols in known problem areas to correct unlawful behavior through awareness campaigns, speed enforcement trailers and ticketing.

Col. Elder, the garrison commander, Command Sgt. Maj. Gan and I, along with other post leaders continue to be highly engaged with the PMO to spearhead measures to stop personnel from entering PT zones, texting while driving and speeding.

Make a conscious decision every day to do the right thing. The health and welfare of every person who works, lives or visits Fort Jackson depends on it.

2. Soldier Transitions. Helping departing Soldiers transition to a successful and rewarding post-service career is a priority for the Army and Fort Jackson. We are fortunate to have one of the best Soldier for Life / Transition Assistance Programs in the Army already, and our program scores very high on all 13 metrics the Army uses to measure the effectiveness of this effort. However, we should not be content with where we are. I believe there are additional things we can do to help our transitioning Soldiers understand the employment market and make them even more valuable to civilian employers. My discussion with civilian community leaders indicates the Midlands is eager to assist us; they recognize that keeping Army talent in the local area is in the economic best interest of South Carolina.

Way Ahead: I have directed our Education Advisory Council to focus their attention in the short term on improving our already excellent transition programs, and to work collaboratively with local business groups and academic institutions to develop innovative methods for linking transitioning Soldiers with the companies who are seeking the talents and skills our Soldiers possess. The Columbia Chamber of Commerce has already partnered with us in this endeavor, and we expect to have the foundations of a comprehensive plan to improve transitions assistance by the middle of April.

The one area that I do not want to overlook is housing. As we continue to conduct town hall meetings and assessments, I will circle back to address housing. To be clear, we are failing our Soldiers and their Families by not providing the quality housing that they deserve. Our Soldiers and Families have a choice to live on our installations.

However, by making that choice, they do not give up their right to a safe, clean and healthy home. We will fix this on Fort Jackson!

Most Pleased: I am most pleased with our collective efforts to move ourselves away from the mantra "Relaxing Jackson." If you have a conversation with a drill sergeant, a bus driver, gate guard or others, they will tell you that there is nothing relaxing about what they do. So where does this come from? It is an outside perspective on our ability to do the routine routinely and enforce standards seen on other installations. Simple things like stopping for Reveille and Retreat, proper wear of uniforms in the right locations, and the level of dignity and respect rendered across our installation is improving and highlighting that we have high standards and will adhere to them. There is nothing relaxing about Fort Jackson!

Area to Improve: It should be no surprise that I am focusing on communication for a second consecutive article. We can improve a lot of things through better and sustained communication. My desire is to not have any Family or Soldier suffer in silence. To maintain further confidence in our systems, processes and leadership, we must communicate. There should be no fear of reprisal for using your voice to hold leaders and organizations accountable. I need to hear your voice so that we know where our challenges are and where we are doing well.

If you'd like to comment or provide feedback on various issues around Fort Jackson visit my Facebook page (@FortJacksonCommandingGeneral) where this article will be posted. Your issue may or may not be addressed in my next column but stay tuned. You might discover issues you have are the same as the CG and post command sergeant major. If you would like to remain anonymous you can send a private message to that page as well. Your comments will remain anonymous and go to one person. If you have a topic that involves SHARP, illegal behavior / acts, other, it will be provided to the appropriate authorities and not addressed in a public forum.