Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, USA, commander of the Army Installation

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1 Rec Notes IMCOM Rolls Out New Campaign Plan Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, USA, commander of the Army Installation Management Command (IMCOM), unveiled the Installation Management Campaign Plan (IMCP) March 29, at the Association of the U.S. Army (AUSA) Institute of Land Warfare Army Installations Symposium & Exposition in San Antonio, Texas, March 29-April 1. Calling the IMCP a roadmap for supporting the warrior now and in the future, Lynch said the plan focuses on improving support for families and other civilians whose support of soldiers is invaluable and underappreciated. The Army will not break because of its soldiers, but the wear and tear on families is almost unbearable, Lynch said. How can we do a better job of taking care of soldiers and families? Lynch asked the installation management community. That s why we exist; that s the essence of our being. He called the plan an overall strategy for the installation management community, and said he intends to execute the IMCP along six lines of effort: soldier, family and civilian readiness; soldier, family and civilian well-being; leader and workforce development; installation readiness; safety; and energy efficiency and security. As part of the campaign plan roll-out conference, Lynch invited Army Chief of Staff Gen. George W. Casey Jr., USA, to share his assessment of where the service stands and his thoughts on how the installation management community will continue to provide a vital role not only in supporting the Army family, but also in operating installations more efficiently and effectively. As part of a one-hour presentation, Casey touched on his 2010 objectives, including this trio: continue efforts to restore balance, refine the Army of the 21st century; and sustain soldiers, families and civilians. The Army s top officer said the service has made signifi- Casey 8 GOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS MAY 2010

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3 cant progress in rebalancing itself from the demands and stresses of more than eight and a half years of combat, and is moving aggressively to further support soldiers and families of the all-volunteer force in the expected decade of conflict ahead. Casey, now in his third year as chief of staff, believes the most important element for putting the Army back in balance is increasing dwell time. As he told a Senate panel in February and the approximately 1,000 people in the San Antonio audience: What we continue to see... is the cumulative effects of these deployments. Studies show, he noted, that two to three years of dwell time are needed to recover from one year of serving downrange. Therefore, the Army has increased dwell time from 12 to 18 months and plans by the end of 2011 for all soldiers to have two years at home following a year of deployment. Looking ahead, Casey said the Army is placing special emphasis on two specific initiatives designed to further strengthen the resilience of soldiers and families the Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention program, and the Comprehensive Soldier Fitness program. Following up on Casey s speech, Lynch told those in the audience, which included region directors and staff members, garrison commanders and command sergeants major, and headquarters personnel, that as unforeseen challenges arise we must ask ourselves three fundamental questions: Are we doing the right things? Are we doing things right? What are we missing? As Lynch stated in the campaign plan, Effective leaders and responsible leaders at all levels must ask these three questions so that we can better focus our resources. The four-day Installation Management Campaign Plan Rollout Conference was held in conjunction with the Association of the U.S. Army s Institute of Land Warfare Army Installations Symposium and Exposition. Simply the Safest! ULTIMA 5000 Heavy duty cover with a ripple pattern on one side MASTERS IN THE ART OF SPORTS SURFACE COVERS COVERMASTER INC., TEL FAX Covermaster's Ultima Series PROTECTIVE GYM FLOOR COVERS ADA compliant, slip resistant covers designed for SAFETY! ADA compliant surface ULTIMA 4000 Heavyweight cover with a diamond tread-plate pattern Many other cover models also available COVERMATE II Professionally engineered for safety. THERE IS NO SAFER SYSTEM! Safety outriggers for increased stability Non-slipping, positive floor locks Roller collars to avoid Certified engineer designed finger pinching Six casters to reduce point load and improve mobility Safety bolts prevent roller 'pop-outs' ADA compliant surface Call to learn more! MEMBER ADA compliant surface ULTIMA 3000 DeLuxe cover with a holographic cube pattern SAFETY1 ST 2007, Covermaster Inc SEE COVERMATE II VIDEO AT covermaster.com info@covermaster.com MAY 2010 GOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS 9

4 Rec Notes Art Myers Announces Retirement Art Myers, SES, principal director for Military Community and Family Policy (MCFP), Office of the Secretary of Defense (Personnel and Readiness), announced his retirement, effective April 3, concluding a 50-year career in military service. An interim principal director for MCFP had not been named as of press time. Myers served as principal director to Tommy T. Thomas, deputy under secretary of defense for Military Community and Family Policy. Thomas resigned from this position on March 11. Virginia Penrod is the acting deputy under secretary of defense until his successor is named. Myers relinquished his directorship at Air Force Services and succeeded Jane Burke to take the Department of Defense (DoD) position on Jan. 9, 2009, providing policy guidance and program direction to the Office of the Deputy Under Secretary of Defense directors. His numerous responsibilities related to quality of life in his role at DoD included the development and evaluation of recommendations concerning military quality-of-life priorities, including the creation of systems to implement qualityof-life goals. After nearly 50 years of service to this great nation, the time has come for me to retire, Myers said in a statement. I marvel at the many changes for the better. Programs and services that were once non-existent, or ad hoc at best, are now integrated in our quality-of-life programs. Getting from there to here wasn t always easy, but in retrospect, it s quite evident that it was worth the effort, he continued. We see the fruits of our labor every day. While we are now in the ninth year of war, our servicemembers continue to serve our nation with honor, integrity, commitment and discipline. And they are counting on us to take care of their families with that same level of honor, integrity, commitment and discipline. What we do contributes to the readiness and resilience of the Myers force. 10 GOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS MAY 2010

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6 It has been my privilege to have served as the principal director. I leave MCFP with the satisfaction of a job well done, direction for the days ahead, and the confidence that this important effort will continue. Remember that each of us is given 24 hours in each day, no more, no less. Use them well and wisely. Embrace change and the opportunities it brings. Take care of each other and take care of yourselves. Your nation is counting on you. Take care and stay safe! Career HigHligHts Myers enlisted in the Air Force when he was 17 years old, beginning as an Airman Basic washing pots and pans, and served 20 years on active duty. During his military career, he held several different positions in the Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) and comptroller fields. His assignments included Wheelus AB, Libya; five tours in Southeast Asia; Bitburg AB, West Germany; and several assignments in the United States. In 1982, Myers began his civilian career with the Air Force and held several positions at base and major command (MAJCOM) levels. He moved to Headquarters U.S. Air Force in February 1991 as the first deputy director of the organization, then known as Air Force Morale, Welfare and Recreation. He remained there through several reorganizations and assumed his position as Air Force Services Director in January In that role, he provided policy and oversight for programs such as troop feeding, lodging, child development centers, youth centers, mortuary affairs and physical fitness and recreation activities. He also provided executivelevel management and control for worldwide business operations such as officers and enlisted clubs, namebrand fast-food restaurants, signaturebrand restaurants, golf courses and bowling centers. and Recreation Leadership Award, International Military Community Executives Association (IMCEA); and the 1999 and 2004 Meritorious Executive Presidential Rank Award. Myers also received the 2003 Department of Defense Distinguished Civilian Service Award; 2004 Lifetime Achievement Award, American Logistics Association; 2005 National Service to Youth Award, Boys & Girls Clubs of America; was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame, Boys & Girls Clubs of America in 2005; and in 2008, was awarded honorary rank and title of chief master sergeant in the Air Force. GRF Honors Myers received numerous accolades during his 50-year career. He earned the Bronze Star Medal; Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; and Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters. In addition, he won the 1980 U.S. Air Force Club Manager of the Year; 1984 and 1987 Meritorious Civilian Service Award; 1989, 1991, 1998 and 2002 Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service; 1998 Morale, Welfare MAY 2010 GOVERNMENT RECREATION & FITNESS 11