ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. – Leaders from the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command shared important updates and guidance regarding the command’s COVID-19 pandemic response, as well as the upcoming change of command of CECOM and APG during a town hall event Tuesday, July 27, hosted at the Myer Auditorium here and broadcast virtually via Microsoft Teams. Attendees were also able and encouraged to send in questions to leadership throughout the program which were answered at the end of the Town Hall.
CECOM Commander, Maj. Gen. Mitchell Kilgo, CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Kristie Brady, and Deputy to the Commanding General Larry Muzzelo led the Town Hall event.
Kilgo welcomed attendees and thanked CECOM and APG employees for their patience, resilience and adherence to the U.S. Army’s recommended COVID-19 pandemic guidance, before touching on the SOUL of CECOM and reflecting on his tenure as the leader of CECOM.
SOUL of CECOM
Kilgo began the town hall by, once again, speaking about the command’s people and team strategy.
The SOUL of CECOM program is “A dedicated team of Selfless professionals who take Ownership of our role, pride in the development of our people, and foster a culture of Unity necessary to achieve the command’s Larger purpose of ensuring Army readiness,” Kilgo said.
He also encouraged the workforce to provide more input on the program, before sharing an informative video highlighting real examples, the practicality and everyday application of the SOUL of CECOM.
“As I told you when I first got here, it’s always about people first. That’s the starting point for everything we do,” Kilgo exclaimed about the program. “I challenge you to own it going forward. Protect this concept, own it, make it yours, make it relate to you. Help create that larger purpose for every part of this organization and the warfighter.”
COVID-19 Guidance
As the nation continues to deal with COVID-19, Kilgo highlighted that while large numbers of COVID-19 vaccines were being given out across the country, the complicated Delta variant of the virus is still a threat to CECOM’s ultimate intent of getting back to normal working operations.
Kilgo spoke on the updated telework policy for CECOM, which allows commanders and supervisors to make a judgement call on permitting up to 80% of the workforce to return to the installation for in-person work.
Kilgo also provided some guidance and answered audience questions on telework and updates to COVID-19 pandemic teleworking policies currently in effect for CECOM. For those in CECOM who are not at APG, Kilgo said to follow guidance from the given local senior commander.
“Refresher for everyone,” Kilgo said. “We are currently operating in Phase 2B of HPCON Alpha. Right now, we’re holding still on where we are. The responsibility is on the leaders to implement this transition plan.”
Kilgo Reflections of time at CECOM
Kilgo took time to acknowledge that this would be his final town hall session as the leader of CECOM, with Maj. Gen. Robert L. Edmonson II scheduled to assume command of CECOM following a change of command ceremony Aug. 6.
Kilgo spoke on how he believed even with his departure, that CECOM would still be in position to succeed due to the people of CECOM and his philosophy of cycles changing for the better.
“I believe in cycles and a fresh set of eyes that hopefully take a look at some of those things that makes our organization better,” Kilgo said. “This is where we’re going, and we want a smooth transition forward.”
Kilgo reflected on what made his time at CECOM so special, before wrapping up the town hall.
“I’m going to miss this place when I leave but I’m really going to miss the people,” Kilgo said. “This has been the highlight of my career. I think this organization has some of the best leaders that I’ve known. The people of CECOM make this place great. This is a truly great organization with a habit of selflessness.”
Recognition
Kilgo, Brady and Muzzelo, on behalf of CECOM, also awarded and recognized the excellence, retirements and length of service of nearly one hundred members from throughout the CECOM and the C5ISR community during the town hall.
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