AMC, IMCOM pilot program begins at Anniston

By Ms. Clester Burdell (AMC)April 15, 2010

AMC, IMCOM pilot program begins at Anniston
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Chuck Gunnels, right, explains the powerpack assembly process to Davis Tindoll Jr., center, southeast director of Installation Management Command, in Anniston Army Depot's combat vehicle disassembly/reassembly building. Tindoll was accompanied by Phi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
AMC, IMCOM pilot program begins at Anniston
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, Ala - Anniston Army Depot took steps to align with Installation Management Command's core competency of running installations and Army Materiel Command's core competency of managing manufacturing centers and storage sites on April 1.

Anniston is one of AMC's four installations participating in the Army's 18-month pilot program which looks at the feasibility of transferring certain installation support functions and real property accountability to IMCOM.

IMCOM Southeast Region Director Davis Tindoll Jr. and his team of subject matter experts visited Anniston on April 7 to get a better understanding of the depot's mission and to culminate what has been more than a year of planning. In December 2008, a team was established to review previous studies and to develop an overall concept and execution timeline for IMCOM base support services on AMC's installations.

"Today, we will begin testing the new alignment through operational control arrangements," said Tindoll, as he addressed depot leaders, union officials, and TACOM associates during a welcoming ceremony. Earlier that morning, Tindoll spoke to the installation of approximately 7,500 people in a televised newscast through local area network.

Depot organizations affected include equal employment opportunity and the directorates of public works, risk management, information management, emergency services, and community and family activities.

The phase will result in no mission degradation and no transfer of personnel or funding. Overall totals equate to approximately 550 depot personnel, naming Phillip Trued as the garrison manager. Trued will continue to serve as the depot's chief of staff during this pilot program.

IMCOM was formed in 2003 by the Secretary and Chief of Staff of the Army to centralize the management of Army installations, thereby allowing commanders to concentrate on mission success not encumbered with the task of providing base operations support.

"That is our goal here at Anniston," said Tindoll, as he referenced the administration of the depot. "We're no stranger here; the southeast region has had a presence at the depot, in support of MWR (Morale, Welfare and Recreation), and public works functions."

IMCOM has provided funding for several years in support of substance abuse programs, morale, welfare and recreation, installation maintenance of public works, and emergency services.

"This is a very unique opportunity," said Jack Cline, deputy to the commander. "As our mission demands, we have an obligation to be active participants in this project while maintaining the depot's outstanding services to our warfighters. At the conclusion of the pilot program, we will gather the necessary data and provide sound feedback to the decision makers."

During the pilot phase, AMC and IMCOM senior leaders will co-chair quarterly progress reviews to assess the effectiveness of the pilot construct.

If the pilot program is successful and the commanders agree to implement the new construct, AMC and IMCOM will propose for final decision the transfer of other special installations, no earlier than October 2013.

Located at Fort McPherson, Ga., IMCOM has the mission of managing Army installations in the Southeastern United States and Puerto Rico. They provide all base operations, public works and Family support programs ensuring the readiness of Soldiers, Families and military units.