ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — U.S. Communications-Electronics Command hosted the first town hall of the year at the Myer Auditorium Feb. 18, 2025.
Topics included the Central Technical Support Facility, CECOM transformation efforts, CECOM dashboards, CECOM Emergency Action Plan, and new guidance based on executive orders. The CECOM workforce filled most auditorium seats; with approximately 1,000 people tuned in online.
The town hall host was CECOM Commanding General Maj. Gen. James D. Turinetti IV. CECOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jay High, who joined the CECOM team earlier this month, introduced himself to the audience. As the CECOM senior enlisted advisor, he cares for people and described the position as his “dream job.”
“At the end of the day, I am here for you; if there is anything that I can do for you, please let me know,” High said.
High encouraged attendees to use the My Army Post App, or MAPA, to get current information on the real-time status of traffic at the gates, weather delays, events, food options, and more. He said this app could help the workforce transition to working on the installation full time.
CTSF
Turinetti said CTSF, headquartered in Fort Cavazos, will shut down this spring. He noted that CECOM needs to be in sync with the Army’s needs.
“They did incredible work for the Army, but that mission has changed; the work they have done over the years had been more of a physical testing, and the Army is modernizing.”
Turinetti said the Assistant Secretary of the Army (Acquisition, Logistics and Technology), or ASA(ALT), community wanted to move to a digital test.
Turinetti said that the mission CTSF was executing didn’t disappear; it just transformed.
“If we don’t meet the Army’s needs, the Army is going to move on without us,” he said.
Turinetti said the number one concern in shutting down CTSF is taking care of the people who work there.
CECOM in transformation
CECOM Transformation Director Andrew Rehkop introduced his team, Deputy Director Jorge Osorio, and Special Projects Officers Leanne Lassiter and Reanna Labuda.
“We are a small, mighty directorate that is going to be looking at how we are going to get after the Army’s continuous transformation model,” he said.
Rehkop said the Army is at a critical juncture right now, mainly because of changing warfare. He added that the challenge is that we must be ready to go anywhere and respond at any scale in defense of our nation.
Rehkop said as the Army undergoes continuous transformation, CECOM is not currently postured to meet the Army's future needs across the Command, Control, Computers, Communications, Cyber, Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance and Medical portfolio.
The CECOM Transformation Directorate will initiate comprehensive analysis and planning by conducting a thorough and holistic review of the command, focusing on its distinct capabilities and contributions to the Army's warfighting functions and its role in supporting continuous transformation initiatives.
Rehkop said Army senior leaders are willing to take more risks. For example, they could identify and divest command and control capabilities that don’t align with the Army’s Next Gen C2 vision. This action would aim to increase unit readiness by removing the requirement to maintain unneeded legacy equipment and freeing up resources to accelerate the delivery of NGC2.
“What solutions do we provide for the Army?” Rehkop asked. “And if we are not providing a solution to the Army, we need to look at why we are doing it.”
Rehkop challenged attendees to consider how CECOM can help the Army solve problems.
“At the end of the day, it is about the warfighter,” Rehkop said.
CECOM Dashboard
Victoria Fuhrmann and Hannah Somers, human resources specialists with CECOM G1, discussed creating a dashboard with Microsoft Power BI. Although they don’t have much technology experience, they used resources like Tech Talks with the G6, Udemy classes, YouTube, Google, and Microsoft Teams channels to communicate with other CECOM teammates and learn how to do so.
Somers said they are constantly refining the product to make improvements.
“You just have to get started; that is the hardest part,” Fuhrmann said.
Turinetti said he appreciates dashboards, which help him visualize information. Turinetti also introduced Chief Data Analytics Officer Dr. Allison Marier, who will help CECOM modernize and transform.
Turinetti said Power BI is “just the beginning.” The Army also has Army Vantage, a data-driven operations and decision-making platform.
G 3/5 protection update
Col. Garrette Harris, director of plans and operations and assistant chief of staff G3/G5 for CECOM, said his team put together an emergency action plan for the CECOM workforce. It includes information about what to do in the event of a medical emergency, fire, earthquake, bomb threat, or active assailant. He asked attendees to carefully read it so they would be prepared in the event of an emergency and prevent miscommunication.
“We have to function and action on the same sheet of music,” he said. “Because when we contact 911 and emergency services, they are going to respond and react according to the reports that come in.”
Harris said that on Sept. 10, 2024, there was a false report of an active shooter on the C5ISR Campus that caused confusion because personnel were unsure what to do in this situation. To get an emergency action plan, contact Harris at [email protected].
Other emergency action efforts include the annual protection synchronization meeting Jan. 28-30, the crisis action team charter, protection communications plan, and an Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training, which will occur in May. In the fourth quarter of FY25, there will be an APG full-scale exercise, with a date to be announced.
“The essence of why we are doing this, is to ensure that we are focusing one of the CG’s number one priorities—that is you, the people of CECOM,” Harris said.
Recent implementation of new guidance
Turinetti said many changes are coming quickly, and he asked the CECOM workforce to be patient as Army leadership implements executive orders. Turinetti said less than 2% of the CECOM workforce took the Deferred Resignation Program or “Fork in the Road.” Leadership is waiting for additional guidance.
Turinetti asked for patience as more people returned to the office full-time. He acknowledged that this is a significant change.
Stressing the importance of remaining patient, Turinetti advised CECOM not to do anything too hastily.
“We are going to work through this,” he said.
Turinetti said APG senior leaders are considering adding more eateries on post as more employees return to the office full-time. A Dunkin’ Donuts will soon open on APG North (Aberdeen) in the former Burger King. Turinetti asked attendees to support businesses on the installation to ensure they stay on post.
According to Turinetti, ad hoc telework is a voluntary program specifically to be used when the post is shut down for inclement weather, or other similar events, or for the benefit of the government. So, while ad hoc exists, it will probably be much smaller than before.
He also addressed the changes to diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and cultural observances. Going forward, DOD components and military departments will not use official resources, including man-hours, to host celebrations or events related to cultural awareness months.
“While that is a big change, we still have to treat everyone with dignity and respect; that is the bottom line,” Turinetti said.
Turinetti said employees can attend cultural observances on their personal time in an unofficial capacity.
The town hall concluded with a question-and-answer session. Questions included reduction in force, telework agreements, probationary employees, and reasonable accommodations. Turinetti recommended consulting the G1 SharePoint site for the latest information under “Personnel Policy Updates.” Questions and answers from the town hall will also be posted on the G1 SharePoint.
At the conclusion of the town hall several employees were recognized for performance, length of service, and retirement.
To watch the town hall, visit:
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