REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- In a new grouping of installations being done by the Installation Management Command, Garrison commander Col. Bob Pastorelli is confident Redstone Arsenal will place among the top garrisons as it pertains to future funding.
"We don't know where we're going to be in the categories," Pastorelli told Garrison employees. "Realistically, I think we need to grow. We're a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) installation. There's still a lot of growth here. The demands for services will continue to grow."
For that reason, the Garrison will be strict on determining what employees can take advantage of an early retirement program.
"These programs come at a cost. For every employee who takes an early retirement, we must be able to either abolish their position or down grade it ... And I think we benefit from years of experience in the work force," he said.
Pastorelli's comments were made during a quarterly Garrison Town Hall meeting June 21 at the Officers and Civilians Club.
In reviewing IMCOM's goals and objectives, Pastorelli said he is establishing integrated process teams for six lines of effort to identify process improvements. Those lines of effort are: Soldier, family and civilian readiness; Soldier, family and civilian well-being; leadership and work force development; installation readiness; safety; and energy efficiency and security.
"The important things to ask are: How do we support the customer' How are we doing' What have we done' ... How do we measure up' ... I think we have a good system in place for where we are and where we want to be in three to five years. We are on a good track," Pastorelli said.
But, the Garrison commander said, the Garrison does fall short in sharing its mission and goals among its departments, and with Arsenal organizations and the public.
"How do we get the word out' ... If you want to be this premiere garrison in the U.S. Army, it behooves us that we at least know what our vision is. We are serving our customers, but process improvement never ends. It's a continuous cycle," Pastorelli said. "You are great communicators. We must work to get word out about what we do every day."
The Garrison vision is to be "the premiere garrison for customer support ... now and into the future."
Among the numerous construction projects now ongoing at the Arsenal, Pastorelli mentioned the Redstone Gateway and its groundbreaking ceremony in July or August.
"We will be building a professional office park right by Gate 9," he said. "It is a partnership between Jim Wilson and Associates, Redstone Arsenal, City of Huntsville and the Madison County Commission. The first facility will open in October 2011. By September of this year you should see bulldozing out there in the big pasture land."
He also mentioned construction projects involving new or improved Family and Morale Welfare and Recreation facilities, and the ongoing efforts to improve FMWR programs.
"We want to do our programs good enough that you think of us first in quality of life services," Pastorelli said. "Most people don't know that they can use FMWR programs. Anything on the Arsenal you can use."
He mentioned Army Community Service, Redstone Bowling Center, Flying Activity, library, fitness centers, campgrounds, Links at Redstone, Officers and Civilians Club, Child Youth and School Services, and Outdoor Recreation as just a few of the FMWR programs available to civilian and contractor employees.
Pastorelli also reviewed upcoming key FMWR dates, such as the Army concert with country stars Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton on Sept. 3, a ribbon cutting for the new Child Development Center on Mills Road set for Sept. 21, Retiree Appreciation Days on Oct. 1-2 and Oktoberfest the weekend of Oct. 16-19. For Garrison employees, there will be a second training week offered Aug. 2-6, and an organizational day set for Aug. 24 at the Col. Carroll D. Hudson Recreation Area.
"There's a lot of stuff going on here at the Arsenal. Take your time to get out and enjoy it," he said.
During his comments, Pastorelli emphasized safety both at work and during leisure time.
"All employees are responsible for and must be held accountable for safety operations," he said.
He reviewed with employees the ongoing investigation of the May 5 explosion in which two Arsenal employees were killed; mentioned the Army transformation, which involves the transfer of the Garrison's Directorate of Logistics to the Army Materiel Command/Army Sustainment Command in fiscal 2012; and announced the change of command ceremony set for Sept. 10 as AMCOM commander Maj. Gen. Jim Myles leaves his command and the Arsenal welcomes incoming commander Maj. Gen. James Rogers, currently of the 1st Theater Sustainment Command (Kuwait).
"General Myles leaves tough shoes to fill. We all know General Myles is blessed to be able to put his arms around all of us and make us all one team. But General Rogers will take over where General Myles leaves off," Pastorelli said.
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