Command Sergeant Majors in the Spotlight at Garrison Commanders Conference

The Army Installation Management Command wrapped up its 2009 Garrison Commanders Conference by highlighting the role of command sergeants major – an influential group that makes a major difference every day in supporting garrison commanders and Soldiers and Families.

The CSMs provided valuable feedback from their special perspective as key non-commissioned officers on installations. They identified two significant communication elements they believe must be strengthened to help build support for IMCOM’s approach to installation management: telling other Army organizations about the Command and its mission, and strategically conveying the intent and priorities of IMCOM’s leadership to Soldiers and Families.

IMCOM CSM Neil Ciotola said that serving as a CSM is grounded in basic Army commitments and standards. “With every new generation and with every new commander, someone comes up with a new jingle about the Army, but it all comes down to the Army Creed and the Warrior Ethos.”

Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, IMCOM’s commanding general, wrapped up the conversation with CSMs by saying, “It is an honor and privilege to command IMCOM and to touch Soldiers and Families on our installations on a daily basis. We can’t serve anywhere more impact than we can as a garrison commander or a command sergeant major in IMCOM. We control the resources that make the quality of life for Soldiers and Families equal to the quality of their service.”

Looking ahead, Lt. Lynch announced the formation of a new transition team that will begin meeting in November with the objective of producing an IMCOM campaign plan to be released in March. He also announced that a new Web site will be created to encourage the sharing of best installation management practices and added that he would begin regularly scheduled “virtual meetings” with garrison leaders starting in early 2010. “As long as I’m commanding general,” he concluded, “it’s all about communication.”