BELVOIR
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January 14, 2021
Army leader talks housing mayor program By Paul Lara Belvoir Eagle
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ryan Gossage, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Installations, Energy and Environment, visited Fort Belvoir Friday to discuss housing with leadership, RCI partners and some residents. Gossage, who is the principal deputy advisor to the Secretary of the Army and Chief of Staff of the Army on all matters related to Installation policy, and privatization of Army
family housing, said that he is seeing progress in improving the quality of privatized housing. “From an installation and housing standpoint, there’s work to be done, and we’re getting after it,” Gossage said. “Our people first strategy is something that we take seriously, along with our new Army installation strategy. When we execute on these things, we will be a better Army, and be a better Army for our Soldiers.” Col. Joshua SeGraves, garrison commander,
Virginia National Guard supporting security effort in Washington, D.C. By Cotton Puryear Virginia Joint Force Headquarters, Public Affairs
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he Virginia National Guard has approximately 1,000 personnel on the ground in Washington D.C. as of Saturday, and additional personnel will join in the coming days to assist civilian law enforcement with security operations. The VNG plans to provide about 2,000 personnel total to join a force of National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from neighboring states expected to reach 6,200 by the end of the weekend. The Soldiers and Airmen will assist in protecting property and providing a safe environment for citizens to exercise their right to peacefully assemble and protest. The VNG personnel are scheduled to be on duty through the Presidential Inauguration Jan. 20. “Once again our Soldiers and Airmen left their full-time jobs and loved ones to answer the call of duty to help keep their fellow
citizens safe,” said Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia. Virginia Governor Ralph Northam authorized the VNG support after a request from the mayor of Washington, D.C. Department of Defense and National Guard Bureau officials asked multiple states to identify units able to support law enforcement and Washington, D.C. National Guard. In addition to Virginia, National Guard Soldiers and Airmen from Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and New York are providing support. VNG personnel began mustering Wednesday evening and the first groups of Soldiers and Airmen began supporting the security effort Thursday. Additional troops arrived Friday, and more will arrive Saturday and Sunday. They will remain under the control of the Virginia Governor under Title 32, 502 (f) orders for up to 31 days. Civilian law enforcement officers are responsible for the safety and security of all personnel, and the National Guard will provide assistance as requested.
Photo by Tech. Sgt. Lucretia Cunningham
Virginia National Guard Soldiers from the 229 Military Police Company stand guard at their post near the John Adams Building, Library of Congress, Saturday, in Washington, D.C. 3
INSCOM CSM
offered a status update on the 2,100 privatized homes on the installation in a meeting with Gossage and the RCI partners that own and manage the homes. “The top three issues were HVAC remediation, electrical concerns and water intrusion, which is a problem with historic homes,” SeGraves said, noting that there is progress on all fronts. “When I took command, we were at 1,500 backlog work orders, some of that because of COVID,” SeGraves said. SeGraves added that that number needs to be seen in context with more than 30,000 work orders placed each year.
Photo by Paul Lara
Bryan Gossage, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army Installations, Energy and Environment, center, meets with Village mayors for an update on the housing situation. Gossage said his experience has shown the increased communications with mayors can be quite helpful to residents.
Mayor Program unwinding issues In order to improve communications and build esprit de corps, Belvoir initiated a mayor’s program, with each of the 15 villages having one of its residents assume the lead in outreach and resident communication, with several villages also having a deputy mayor to assist. Gossage said it is a strategy that is helping to unwind many issues. “The mayor program is something that I’ve seen initiated as I’ve travelled to 12 states and 40 installations. There are places that have put the mayor program in place, and they have seen positive changes as a result,” Gossage said. “Clearly, having the mayor program is effective; it results in good things for Soldiers and for resolving issues for their families.” Staff Sgt. Candice Vierling, the Vernondale Village mayor, said while there are some communications issues to be worked out, she can see a difference. “Ever since the mayor program started for us, I feel that the residents are more comfortable talking to somebody, compared to constantly reaching out to a community manager or Michaels,” she said. “I’m in charge
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