Home Care In Fort Dix, NJ

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J.—As the COVID-19 pandemic took hold of the New York metropolitan area and the need for outside support increased in multitude; the Department of Defense (DOD) expeditiously responded with the deployment of Joint Task Force-Civil Support (JTF-CS). However, with the immediate influx of military support units deploying into the area, it quickly became apparent that network enterprise solutions were needed to sustain internet and intranet communications throughout the nation’s largest metropolitan area.

At the forefront of the DOD’s and the Network Enterprise Technology Command’s (NETCOM’s) Information Technology (IT) solutions capability during COVID-19 are the men and women who are part of the more than 160 localized Network Enterprise Centers (NECs) located throughout the globe, supporting military installations world-wide. The NEC system came into existence in 2009 under the direction of the 7th Signal Brigade and was the result of the deliberate transformation of the former Directorates of Information Management (DOIMs) at each installation, which subsequently became the current Network Enterprise Centers of today.

In 2009 NECs became important support systems to the Continental United States (CONUS)-based units, who depend on computer networks to train as they fight, to conduct distributed joint planning, and to rehearse for operations. Currently, NECs at each installation operate as part of the larger portion of the Army’s Department of Defense Information Networks (DODIN-A), while remaining responsive at the local level to provide assured access.

However, during this pandemic NECs are making very profound impacts on NETCOM’s cyber initiatives during COVID-19, like the NEC at JB MDL, which services the Fort Dix and Fort Devens area of operations; as Mr. Rich Garrett, Director for the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Center, Fort Dix, N.J. & Fort Devens, Mass. explains.

“We’ve been supporting the Defense Health Agency (DHA) and the local medical community for COVID-19 mobilization missions such as the initial Joint Task Force Civil Support, JTF-CS in March and our Mobilization Force Generation Installation (MFGI) mission.”

“In addition, we have extended the DHA Medical Community of Interest (Med-COI) network connection supported by Keller Army Community Hospital (KACH) located at West Point, N.Y. to several medical mobilization support buildings on the Fort Dix cantonment area including medical and dental clinics,” said Garrett.

Not only has the JB MDL NEC provided critical network support to the Med-COI; they have also provided net connectivity to JTF-CS units like the 3rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command (ESC) from Fort Bragg that deployed with 253 Soldiers in March to provide medical, planning, communication, transportation and logistics support.

The 3rd ESC, was among 1,100 soldiers deploying from Bragg to provide defense support of civil authorities in response to COVID-19 and assisted the Federal Emergency Management Agency FEMA in New York. According to Garrett, supporting the 3rd ESC proved to be important in the over scheme of things.

“JTF-CS were spearheaded by the 3rd Expeditionary Support Command (ESC) out of Fort Bragg. As the 3rd ESC was tasked to process personnel and equipment into New York City and surrounding locations in the fight against the pandemic.”

“The Fort Dix NEC provided the 3rd ESC with Command, Control, Communications, Computers, and Information Management (C4IM) services to support network access for leadership and administrative personnel via Video Tele-Conferencing capabilities and support services from the Defense Information Systems Agency DISA,” said Garrett.

Not only did Garrett’s NEC team provide essential communications support to JTF-CS they also helped DOD expand its collaboration software platforms.

“Through collaborative platforms such as Microsoft Teams, also called Commercial Virtual Remote (CVR) Environment, we have created a virtual environment that facilitates a personnel presence as if you are working in the same location,” said Garrett.

CVR increases productivity and quality because you can share, brainstorm and communicate with remote users when necessary via the on-board chat features.”

Garrett credits the response to COVID-19 as helping to dispel any myths regarding telework.

“Needless to say that a positive result of this pandemic is the dismissal of the idea that teleworking cannot be productive and a positive tool for activities,” said Garrett.

“Consequently as a result of telework we also recognized that personnel were working too much and had to be reminded to stay within expectations.”

The JB MDL NEC director credits the success of his team to their dedication, hard work and pre-COVID-19 preparation prior to the major pandemic outbreak.

“Just prior to the COVID-19 crisis in February 2020, Fort Dix completed the Joint Regional Security Stack (JRSS) migration. As part of that migration we decommissioned antiquated Virtual Private Network (VPN) infrastructure that would not have met the demand of teleworking personnel,” said Garrett.

“The NEC Team has not only stepped up to every challenge tied to the COVID-19 pandemic, they have sustained our normal operations which includes a Command Cyber Readiness Inspection previously scheduled for June 2020.”

“The Team has provided flawless service and support to the Fort Dix community and has been the tip of the spear for learning, using and maintaining the collaborative tools used during COVID-19,” concluded Garrett.

FORT DIX, N.J. – The year of firsts continues.

Brig. Gen. Maria Falca-Dodson assumed command of nearly 2,300 Airmen of the New Jersey Air National Guard, which includes the 108th Air Refueling Wing at McGuire Air Force Base, the 177th Fighter Wing at Egg Harbor Township, and Joint Force Headquarter-New Jersey (Air Component) at Fort Dix in a change of command ceremony at the Joint Training and Training Development Center, located at Fort Dix Nov. 15. General Falca-Dodson is the New Jersey Air National Guard's first female commander.

Outgoing NJ ANG Commander Brig. Gen. Lawrence S. Thomas III said, "This is long overdue, not just for women in general but for Maria herself."

"It's an honor to be given this responsibility," General Falca-Dodson said. "I pledge to lead and support fully and I thank you for your belief in me, guidance and support."

The general, prior to assuming command, served as the first female deputy adjutant general to The Adjutant General of New Jersey Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth at the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans Affairs in Lawrenceville. She was appointed on March 1, 2002. In 2004, she became the first woman to pin on general stars in the New Jersey National Guard.

"Make no mistake -- she's a Soldier and an Airman first. During her time as a deputy, she didn't always get the glorious jobs. But every issue she took and every project that was handed to her was carried out," said General Rieth. "And there were a lot of things that needed to be carried out during that time."

General Falca-Dodson provided oversight and management to more than 8,300 members of the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard, as well as state operations of the department during the nearly seven years she served as the deputy adjutant general. During that time, the New Jersey Army and Air National Guard mobilized more than 7,000 Soldiers and Airmen in support of Operations' Iraqi Freedom, Enduring Freedom, Noble Eagle, Hurricane Katrina and Rita efforts, and Operation Jump Start.

She also had direct responsibility for the Army and Air full-time operations, strength, New Jersey National Guard Training Center, ethics, and the Office of Military Affairs which includes; public affairs, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve and government relations. She was chair of the Long Range Planning Executive Steering Committee, the Efficiencies and Revenue Steering Committee; the Weapons of Mass Destruction Advisory Committee, is the TAG designee for the Domestic Security Preparedness Task Force and was co-chair of the Nursing Shortage Task Force in 2002.

The general attended the College of New Jersey (formerly Trenton State College) and received a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing in 1975. Seven years later, she earned a Master of Arts in Administration from Central Michigan University.

General Falca-Dodson began her military career in 1980 when she was commissioned as a first lieutenant with the 108th Tactical Fighter Wing, New Jersey Air National Guard. In 1993, she received her chief nurse badge serving with the 108th Medical Squadron. Five years later, she assumed command of the 108th Air Refueling Wing Medical Group. General Falca-Dodson has participated in multiple overseas deployments and was deployed as the medical commander, Task Force Fuertos Caminos, Panama, 1993.

By Airman 1st Class Zachary Martyn Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST,N.J. –

The history of Fort Dix is etched into the very foundation of Wurman Hall. Portraits of previous installation commanders and command sergeants major neatly line the walls. Generations of Soldiers and leaders have left their mark with black and white photos ascending from the past into color. At the end of the hallway sits the newest incumbent of that highest enlisted rank at Army Support Activity Dix, Command Sgt. Maj. Randy Gillespie.

Having acknowledged the work of his predecessor, Gillespie is faced with a blank canvas and is anticipating the mark he will leave during his service here - earning his spot on the wall in Wurman Hall.

For 100 years Fort Dix has been a center of mobilization and training. With the possibility of a large mobilization mission returning, Gillespie is excited to continue that legacy.

“Readiness is a part of my personal mantra and I want to bring that to this installation,” said Gillespie. “Absolutely one of my biggest priorities is ensuring [service members are prepared to deploy].”

In the past, many of the services designed to improve quality of life for service members currently did not exist. Today, many of these resources and amenities are facing budget cuts; this is a major concern for Gillespie.

“One of the biggest things that I want to ensure during my time here is that proper services are available to the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines and Coast Guardsmen here,” said Gillespie. “We need to make sure programs are in place for them to get any personal help they may need without having to worry about their chain of command or anyone getting involved.”

These services not only allow service members to be taken care of, it increases their ability to deploy and may remove some stress from the sometimes stressful lives of those in the military, said Gillespie.

In his spare time, Gillespie is a sponsored professional bass fisher, husband, and father of five children.

“Patience and organizational skills translate well from professional bass fishing into the Army,” said Gillespie. “People don’t realize bass fishing is a process. When we do a certain job in the Army we do it a specific way. I organize my tackle a specific way and label things a specific way. My wife says I’m crazy, but it’s a process. It helps me both catch fish and do well in my work.”

A South Carolina native, Gillespie entered the armed forces in 1989 as a 31M, Multichannel Telecommunications Operator. Throughout his service he has served in numerous deployments and combat tours including Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Restore Hope, Uphold Democracy, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

Now in the seat of Command Sergeant Major at ASA-Dix, Gillespie takes a century of history into the future.

“I will do what I need to do to help increase readiness for the service members here,” said Gillespie. “ASA-Dix is here to provide services to the tenant units all around the installation. Whether it’s the ranges or facilities - anything we can do to help. That’s what we’re here for.”

ASA-Dix Public Affairs

ARMY SUPPORT ACTIVITY-DIX, JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J., -- While the name DOIM (Directorate of Information Management) is still used around conference room tables or in casual conversation by Army Support Activity Dix workers to refer to the post's leader in technology assistance, the organization's name and responsibilities have changed. Now called the NEC, which stands for Network Enterprise Center, it is a major technology player in its transition to Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst.

Since the designation DOIM has been around for as long as most employees can remember, tossing that term around in conference rooms and offices is going to be a hard habit to break for most workers. However, all ASA-Dix personnel should be aware of what changes have taken place at the NEC and how this shift in operations may affect the way they deal with technology issues in their department.

Before the merger, the NEC was the sole go-to operation for all technology needs on post, but times have changed.

"The difference between the past and today is that we have given up the main post telephone switch to the Air Force," said Richard Eckstein, director of the NEC. "We also did move about 375 people to the Air Force network."

Although a bulk of the telephone services have been switched to the hands of the Air Force, NEC workers still play their part."We still handle the telephones for the range area. There are two switches: one for the range area and one for the main post. The Air Force now runs the main post. The one in the range area stayed Army," Eckstein explained.

Customers who are in need of help with their telephone line in the ASA cantonment area should now turn to the 87th Communications Squad, which can be reached by calling 609-754-2666.

"People can go through their telephone control officer registered with the 87th Communications Squad. They fill out what's called a Work Order Management System and their work gets done. So that's the biggest difference, they now need to use the Air Force's work order system instead of our work order system. It's working pretty smoothly at this point," said Eckstein.

Customers having computer issues can dial 609-562-2232 to be connected to the NEC help desk. Range area phone customers experiencing technical difficulties should contact their Installation Management Officer for assistance in submitting a remedy ticket to resolve their issue.

The biggest challenge within the NEC itself is learning about the Air Force's way of running things. "It has taken us some time to get used to the processes that the Air Force goes through to get things done. We didn't know all of that up front, so it has just been a learning curve for us here," explained Evelyn Stefula, chief of plans and business operations for the NEC.

The NEC operates under the command of the 93rd Signal Brigade, Fort Eustis, Va., which is commanded by Col. Jim Garrison. Garrison then reports back to the 7th Signal Commander led by Brig. Gen. Jennifer Napper out of Fort Gordon, Ga. Napper takes orders from the Army's network command at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. Although these command posts are spread out all over the country, each organization works well together. The NEC never has a problem getting through to anyone for support. According to Eckstein, everyone is always responsive to their calls.

As things continue to change at ASA-Dix, the NEC staff has a positive attitude and looks forward to a great year. "There will be some more Army customers coming onto the base soon, so they should almost replace the work load that we lost," said Eckstein.

The NEC team is also looking to increase usability and automate more business processes within the Army by improving its SharePoint portal and joint mission management system.

"We want to continue to do things more efficiently. We are always looking to improve on things to help the end user," explained Stefula.

By Airman 1st Class M. Ryan Throneberry Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE-MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. – Imagine all the forms and documents, disposable materials and other resources necessary to run the Department of Defense's only tri-service joint base. Now, imagine the amount of solid waste left behind by the 42,000 men and women who work here.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is not immune to waste, but more than ten years ago leadership started a recycling program to decrease the amount of waste produced at what were formerly McGuire Air Force Base and Fort Dix in 2003.

The base recycling operations are vast and include sorting items, shredding paper, bailing cardboard and compacting other waste.

The abundance of paper and other wastes, such as plastic, glass, scrap metal, cardboard, toner cartridges, collected by the JB MDL Recycling Center staff has kept the staff busy, picking up and collating waste from throughout the entire joint base.

"We visit approximately 260 buildings per week," said Clarence Lewis, JB MDL Recycling Center manager. "We pick-up recyclables from 26 buildings per day at each base and process the items at the recycling center."

JB MDL is mandated by the Qualified Recycling Program to establish a program that meets the 50 percent diversion goal for non-hazardous solid waste and 60 percent diversion for constructions and demolition debris as dictated by the DOD sustainability performance plan by 2015.

The QRP requires concerted efforts to divert or recover scrap or waste from waste streams and identify, segregate and maintain the integrity of recyclable materials to maintain or enhance the marketability of the material.

The program has matured since it was implemented and recycled more than 2,000 tons of waste last year. The total amount of recyclable goods in 2012 were: cardboard 317 tons of cardboard; 174 tons of office paper; 56 tons of newspaper; 10 tons of shredded paper; 15 tons of toner cartridges and 431 tons of scrap metal.

Other recyclable items such as pallets, tires, coated wire and construction debris can be taken to the facility located at 2321 Radin Road.

Different facilities on the joint base are responsible for processing various materials. Electronic equipment such as TVs, computers, monitors, etc., must be taken to UNICOR recycling located at 5705 Doughboy Loop. Brass recycling is processed through Defense Logistics Agency/Defense Reutilization and Marketing Office. Used oil recycling is managed at the hazardous waste facility and other used oil tanks located at various locations here, said Charanjit Gill, 87th Civil Engineer Squadron pollution prevention branch supervisor.

While the recycling program here helps defer large amounts of waste from ending up in landfills, it also generates revenue for the installation.

The JB MDL recycling program provides an annual savings of more than $230,000 with the current landfill solid waste disposal cost at approximately $73 per ton and a refuse collection and hauling cost of approximately $30 per ton.

"All money generated from selling JB MDL's recycled materials is used to defray the cost of the recycling programs," said Gill. "Any excess money is used to fund environmental projects, recreational equipment, services and events which might not otherwise be funded. Solid waste disposal costs are avoided when materials are recycled."

The recycling program generates approximately $20,000 monthly in proceeds. The recycling center is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Note: The recycle operation at Lakehurst operates under a separate civilian and military contract.

(Editor's note: Information in this article was taken from Pascual Flores.)