Teamwork Makes it Better at Benning

By Erik AndersonMay 20, 2021

FORT BENNING, Ga. – Residents of Indianhead Village and MacDonald Manor met roving groups of key leaders in their neighborhoods during a walking town hall Wednesday.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer)
FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

For the groups, comprised of Army leaders and representatives of on-post services, it was a chance to connect with the people that matter most.

“When the Army talks about taking care of families, the best place to do that is where they are comfortable,” said Col. Dawson A. Plummer, Commander, 194th Armored Brigade.

As the groups talked with residents, topics ranged from schools and speeding to community resources and repairs. For the assembled group, it was all important.

“What might seem small to some, can make a huge impact,” encouraged Plummer.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer)
FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Service representatives took notes from each conversation, with plans to improve the quality of life at Fort Benning.

“This is about communication,” said Ray Castillo, Assistant Facility Director, The Villages of Benning. “We are out here to improve that.”

For Indianhead residents, one recurring issue was the fencing. The event was an opportunity for residents to bring attention to the problem and for the maintenance team to clarify their plans and reinforce their commitment to customer service.

“If we can repair it, we do,” explained Castillo. “If it’s at the end of its life cycle, we replace it.”

Residents expressed their understanding of reduced staffing and operating in the COVID environment, giving high marks to the team and their efforts to minimize impact on daily life.

“Every time we call, they are responsive and polite,” said Staff Sgt. Michael Pranger, a resident of Indianhead Village. “The people, the way the base is taken care of – everything is ten times better at Benning.”

Army leaders shared their notes with the other groups, committing their time and resources while working together to accomplish their combined mission of continuous improvement.

FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer)
FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence command team consisting of Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe commanding general, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence and Command Sgt. Maj. Derrick C. Garner command sergeant major, U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence along with the garrison command team consisting of Col. Matthew Scalia, garrison commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Brett W. Johnson, garrison command sergeant major, conduct a walking town hall, May, 19, 2021 at Indianhead neighborhood. The intent of the walking town hall is to interact with residents in Fort Benning neighborhoods to insure their needs are being met and the living conditions are up to standard. The command group plans to conduct walking town halls monthly. (U.S. Army photo by Markeith Horace, Fort Benning Maneuver Center of Excellence photographer) (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

“These (walking town halls) are all about engaging with the community because our interests are aligned,” explained Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, Commanding General, Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning. “We are all committed to making it better at Benning.”