ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Plans for a gradual return to the workplace, mask policy, a spotlight on the Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, and employee recognitions were among topics discussed at the quarterly U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command town hall May 27 at APG’s Myer Auditorium and hosted virtually via Microsoft Teams.
CECOM Commander Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo said up to 60% of the CECOM workforce at APG will be eligible to return to work starting June 1, as the installation will enter phase 2A of its return to work plan. CECOM employees at other locations should follow guidance from their location’s senior mission commander, Kilgo said.
Kilgo said he anticipates entering phase 2B of the plan, in which up to 80% of the workforce will return to APG, after July 4, unless the next phase of criteria — sustained case rate reduction for 14 days, capacity to test exceeds requirements, sustainment of sufficient contact, trace and monitor capabilities and a maintenance of ICU bed capacity levels — does not get met.
“We’ve crawled for a year,” Kilgo said. “From a national standpoint and from a local community standpoint, we’re in that walk phase right now.”
Moving forward, Kilgo said CECOM will begin to leverage a previously underutilized telework policy in which employees may be able to telework up to two days per week. He said he is also open to alternate work schedules and flex hours. He considered these measures a starting point that could be evaluated in the future.
“We’re going to learn from it as we go,” he said.
Kilgo also explained how the installation is adhering to CDC guidance and the Department of Defense mask-wearing policy, which states that those who are fully vaccinated from COVID-19 may choose whether or not to wear a mask, while those who are not fully vaccinated must wear a mask while in any building on the installation.
FEVS results
Kilgo spent time going through results of the 2020 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey, which measures employees' perceptions of whether, and to what extent, conditions characteristic of successful organizations are present in their agencies.
46.3% of CECOM took part in the 2020 survey, just shy of the Army’s 50% participation goal. However, the turnout was a 12 percentage point improvement over 2018, and that was an achievement Kilgo acknowledged.
“We've got work to do, but I'm pleased we're moving in the right direction,” he said.
The results from the survey show that supervisors are exceeding the president’s engagement goal in all categories and the largest increase was in the area of trust. Strengths included supervisors treating employees with respect, supporting employee development and listening actively. Supervisors also received high marks in trust and confidence.
The survey revealed several opportunities to improve for the command, particularly among senior leaders. While scores are improving, they are below the target goal. Kilgo encouraged leaders to continue to build trust, enhance communication of the organization’s goals, be more visible and use results to engage in conversations.
Tobyhanna visitors
Heather Fiedler came to APG from Tobyhanna Army Depot (TYAD) to discuss their employee engagement program they call Peer-to-Peer, which aims to train personnel to be able to receive disclosures and provides a warm hand-off to the professional first responder for intervention. The goal of the program is to prevent or decrease parasuicidal actions, misuse of substances, sexual harassment, or stigmatization of mental health issues. TYAD’s Gene Golembeski then recounted a poignant personal story which brought home how the Peer-to-Peer program could help.
Upcoming events
Several change of command ceremonies are scheduled for the next several weeks, including Information Systems Engineering Command on June 25, TYAD on June 28, Army Medical Logistics Command on July 1, CECOM on Aug. 6 and Central Technical Support Facility on Aug. 25.
The CECOM Organization Day is June 17.
The next CECOM Town Hall is scheduled for July 27.
Awards and recognitions
Civilian Service Commendation Medals were given to Pamela Delaine, Bethani Crouch and De'Shawna Gardner for providing support to the Black Engineer of the Year Awards (BEYA). Both also received 4-star notes from Gen. Edward Daly, commander of Army Materiel Command.
Civilian Service Achievement Medals were given to Dadrian Willis, Cassandra Boyer, Rochelle Canzano, Steven Faulkner, Sean Green, Morgan King and Mary Smith for their roles in supporting BEYA. A 4-star note from the AMC commander was given to Kelly Corpina.
Three employees from Tobyhanna Army Depot, Pennsylvania, earned Lean Six Sigma Excellence Awards: Christopher Gogola, Gregry Babarsky and Paul Brundage. Their projects saved the Army more than $7M.
AMC Employee of the Quarter awards were given to Steven Suit for the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020 and Herbert Cottrell for the 1st Quarter FY21.
CECOM Employee of the Quarter awards for second quarter fiscal 2021 were given to Kaitlyn Crook at the junior level, Bethani Crouch in the mid-level, and Lawton Crentsilfor the senior level. Supervisor of the Quarter was given to Nelson Capan.
C5ISR Employee of the Quarter awards for the second quarter fiscal 2021 were given to Kaitlyn Crook, Christian Gaytan and Daniel DeCamillo. C5ISR Team of the quarter was awarded to the Counterfire Radars AN/TPQ-50/53 Sustainment Readiness Team.
CECOM recognized nearly 20 retiring personnel, both military and civilian, and nearly as many teammates who are about to execute permanent change of station, or PCS, moves.
Gregory Alexander, Roxanne Conley and Rhonda Holmes were recognized for 30 years of service to the U.S. government. Gail Baker, Ronald Daly, Steven Hart, Kevin McKenzie and Matthew Otto were recognized for 35 years. Paul Broadnax, Lisa Chase, Evelyn Cummins, Yvonne Emanuel, Philip Fauth, Eric Jones, Melvin Leary, Lisa Meyer, Joseph Neary, Guy Padello, Frank Pratt and Dean Smith were recognized for 40 years. William Johnson was recognized for 45 years.
Bobby Jones was present on stage and received a standing ovation from the small in-person audience as he was recognized for an inspiring 50 years of service to the nation.
Social Sharing