U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command and Fort Detrick Commander Maj. Gen. Brian C. Lein addressed installation staff during a town hall Aug. 27, discussing results of the command’s most recent climate survey.
“The challenge we are facing is information-overload,” said Lein, in response to data from the command climate survey that indicated people’s biggest concern is communication. “We need your help to tell us what information you need and what medium you want it in.”
Lein went on to discuss where the workforce should be looking for their information, including the AtHoc mass notification system, Facebook, the Standard and the Fort Detrick website.
“Those of you who are not on the AtHoc system, you need to get on it,” said Lein. “Work with your leaders to make sure you have access to this system.”
Lein also discussed manpower and resources. Though the audience wasn’t surprised, Lein explained that resources are limited and we need to better articulate how and where our resources are being allocated.
“We are trying to do too much with too little people and too many missions,” said Lein. “If we can effectively communicate what our priorities are, we are less likely to be told that we are having more money taken away from us.”
According to Lein, there are three pots of money in order of priority for the Chief of Staff of the Army: readiness, the future and infrastructure.
“We are taking a stringent look at the programs we have to make sure they are falling in these three priorities,” said Lein. He explained that we have to understand these priorities to be able to communicate our local priorities at Fort Detrick.
“Sequestration is here,” added Lein. “We have not received guidance about how and if this will affect the workforce the way it has in the past, but when we do, you all will be the first to be notified.”
Lein continued the town hall discussing the impact that communication issues and lack of resources can impact the morale of the workforce.
“These two things [communication and resources] really impact morale,” said Lein. “If you’re not getting the information you need or the resources, it can be a rough day to come to work.”
Lein went on to describe resources that employees have access to during times of stress, including the chaplain, military life family consultants, EEO counselors and behavioral health assets such as the Barquist clinic for military members.
“If you are having challenges within your office, the command climate survey is a great way to address that,” said Lein.
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