WIESBADEN, GERMANY – U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden Commander Col. David Mayfield and the garrison command team, shared a variety of command updates with his collective garrison workforce on Dec. 2 at the Taunus Theater on lower Hainerberg.
Mayfield opened up by discussing his priorities and the challenges that lie ahead.
Increases in population density will be one potential challenge that could impact services and living space across the garrison for years to come.
Mayfield was upfront about the influx of activity and personnel across the installation's footprint, “(It will take) a lot of additional effort in the workforce, in DPW (public works), DHR (human resources) and in housing… doesn’t matter where you (work).”
Optimizing the space on Clay Kaserne is a top priority for the garrison command group as arriving units and stationing challenges will be felt across the garrison's footprint, said Mayfield.
Finding creative ways to repurpose parking lots is just one example of how the garrison is supporting contingency operations and allocating space for temporary containerized housing units.
Bringing in CHUs offer troops a better housing option. These temporary buildings help get Soldiers out of soft, open-bay type tents and into sturdier, climate-controlled structures.
“Everything we do to make their quality of life much better…we will continue to do that,” Mayfield added.
Since taking command in the summer of 2022, Mayfield has stayed engaged with the neighboring German communities outside of Clay Kaserne, as reestablishing community relations after two years of pandemic impacts, is a key priority for him and the command.
Mayfield went on to reiterate to the workforce how important it is to be a good neighbor and how the garrison can work together on shared interests important to both garrison leadership and elected leaders in our partner communities.
The command team showcased how leaning on our shared partnership is important for many reasons, including safety within our shared neighborhoods and replenishing the garrison workforce.
Garrison looks to local communities and their employment programs to help bolster the Army's local national, civilian hires. This is critical because local national hires “...are a huge part, if not the biggest part of Garrison Wiesbaden,” said Mayfield.
With holiday leave period underway since Thanksgiving and many getting ready to beginning traveling within the next three weeks to 30 days, Mayfield took time to offer a safety briefing and to remind all to enjoy their much needed break but to do so safely.
Mayfield, opening the floor to workforce questions, was asked about local national American holiday approval for 2023 and beyond, citing the lack of updates received by the workforce so far this late into 2022.
Acknowledging that it is important to know what approved American holidays are offered so that local national can plan vacation time, the command assured the gathered audience that information would be sent to the local national workforce for both 2023 and 2024 soon.
“Be advised U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden-approved local national U.S. holidays are synced with IMCOM-E (Installation Management Command) and USAEUR (U.S. Army Europe and Africa),” said Deputy to the Garrison Commander, Mr. Mitchell Jones.
“For 2024, we are working in collaboration with the (local national) Works Counsel and will release those dates in the summer of 2023.”
Additionally, a question was asked about elections at the Work Council.
“We (the garrison), as the employer, we cannot get involved in the process of the local national’s works council,” said Jones.
“I encourage you to contact the board for more information.”
Closing out the all-hands event, the command team recognized and honored several members of the workforce for their dedication and service. In addition to quarterly customer service and organizational awards, Martin Hallbauer was recognized as one of six U.S. Army Department of Public Works Business Executives of the Year, and Directorate of Emergency Services Provost Sergeant Sgt. 1st Class Edward Frady was recognized as Installation Management-Europe's Non-commissioned Officer of the Year.
Social Sharing