REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. - Members of the U.S. Army Space and Missile Defense Command/Army Forces Strategic Command on Redstone Arsenal came together for a town hall meeting July 6 in the Sparkman Center’s Bob Jones auditorium.
This was the second town hall meeting by Lt. Gen. Richard P. Formica, USASMDC/ARSTRAT commanding general. During the meeting, Formica talked about his vision for the future and what he sees as some of the command’s challenges.
“There are not too many commanders who wear three hats and have three different functions, all at the same time,” Formica said. “The sun never sets on SMDC and our Soldiers are located around the world doing a fantastic job. And those of you here are providing them with the best support anyone could ask for.”
During the meeting, the general discussed numerous issues including the command being a diverse, complex and global command that provides critical capabilities to the Army. The command performs its mission at a high level while being split based, multi-component with diverse constituencies at dispersed locations with a talented work force of Soldiers, civilians and contractors who contribute on a daily basis.
“There are unique roles all of you, our Soldiers and civilian workforce, play in the Profession of Arms and I am proud of each and every one of you,” Formica said.
He talked about USASMDC/ARSTRAT being the Army’s force modernization proponent for space, high altitude and global missile defense, as well as the Army’s operational integrator for global missile defense now and in the future.
“It is what we do at the Future Warfare Center and at the Tech Center that is important to our growth and those are the capabilities that make us a viable command,” Formica said. “We have to figure out how at USASMDC/ARSTRAT we can develop capabilities and provide them to the Warfighters.”
Formica invited one of the command’s senior noncommissioned officers to speak to everyone in the stead of the USASMDC/ARSTRAT Command Sgt. Maj. Larry S. Turner and inform them of some events that USASMDC/ARSTRAT Soldiers are taking part in as well as training and safety issues that affect everyone in the command.
“Our command is spread out, we have a lot going on and the sun never sets on SMDC,” said G-3 Sgt. Maj. John Mattie. “The sun may be setting somewhere, but the mission and our Soldiers are still carrying on.
“Whether you are a Soldier or a civilian, your job is important as we support our men and women in the field all around the world,” Mattie added.
Before concluding the town hall meeting, the general welcomed new military leaders and presented service awards and length of service pins to several civilians.
The civilian awardees were Barry Anderson, G-3, Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and Wanda Tucker, G-8, Achievement Medal for Civilian Service. The Civil Service Length of Service Awards went to: Kenneth R. South, 40 years; Samuel A. Bertling, 35 years; Dr. Steven L. Messervy, 35 years; Terrance J. Bauer, 30 years; David W. Crouch, 30 years; George P. Knowlton IV, 30 years and Olive P. Jordan, 30 years.
“Thank you for all you do, I am proud to serve with you all,” Formica said.
Social Sharing