INSCOM virtual town hall updates command, focuses on continuity

By Nathan BeckerMarch 23, 2020

INSCOM virtual town hall updates command, focuses on continuity
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), hosted a virtual town hall, highlighting important topics for the command, including leadership continuity, COVID-19 and strategic initiatives progress from the Nolan Building, March 12. (Photo Credit: Joy Brathwaite) VIEW ORIGINAL
INSCOM virtual town hall updates command, focuses on continuity
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Lt. Col. Toihunta Stubbs, command surgeon, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), briefs the workforce on COVID-19 prevention measures during a virtual town hall from the Nolan Building, March 12. (Photo Credit: Joy Brathwaite) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Va. – Maj. Gen. Gary W. Johnston, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), hosted a virtual town hall, highlighting important topics for the command, including command leadership continuity, COVID-19 and strategic initiatives progress from the Nolan Building, March 12.

The webcast allowed Soldiers, Army civilians and contractors from around the world to hear from assembled INSCOM leadership, and interact during a live question and answer session.

“Together, we are making a huge difference,” said Johnston. “The fact that we are executing this town hall remotely is one small example of how far we have come together.”

One of the first topics addressed was COVID-19. Employees from across the command were able to hear updates from Johnston and Lt. Col. Toihunta Stubbs, command surgeon, directly.

“As a command, we will continue to monitor Army, Department of Defense, Office of Personnel Management, and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance and implement recommended measures to reduce risk to our workforce,” said Johnston. “We will be transparent in our communications to the workforce and will continue to push information as it becomes available.”

Segueing into a discussion on strategic initiatives, Johnston provided progress updates to the workforce on where each strategic initiative started and where they are going in the future.

“Approximately one year ago, we rolled out INSCOM’s one priority: ‘Connect and Deliver the Enterprise’ and our ten strategic initiatives,” said Johnston. “Over the course of the last year, we have stayed focused on moving toward irreversible momentum on each of these ten initiatives.”

To close the event, Johnston led a question and answer session that allowed personnel from around the globe to ask questions via text chat, and included answers from senior leaders across the staff sections.

The text chat format proved invaluable, as members of the workforce proffered thoughtful and important questions to the leadership team, which served to increase situational awareness and understanding throughout the command.

The successful event was book-ended by a surprise, standing ovation, as the command thanked Charles F. Sardo, INSCOM chief of staff, for his 40-plus years of service to the government, as he prepares for retirement.

“Thanks for the privilege of serving with you all. It has been my honor to serve alongside you,” said Sardo. “All the things that we do are to save Soldiers lives, it is a wonderful enterprise to devote one’s life too.”

INSCOM executes mission command of operational intelligence and security forces; conducts and synchronizes worldwide multi-discipline and all-source intelligence and security operations; delivers linguist support and intelligence-related advanced skills training, acquisition support, logistics, communications, and other specialized capabilities in support of Army, Joint, and Coalition Commands and the U.S. Intelligence Community.