By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Garrison commander: Furloughs will hurt economy
Col. Gregory
Fort Stewart garrison commander Col. Kevin Gregory holds up a flyer during his talk Thursday to the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce. - photo by Photo by Randy C. Murray

Col. Kevin Gregory, U.S. Army Garrison commander for Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, reported to the Liberty County Chamber of Commerce during its Progress Through People Luncheon on Thursday at Connection Church.
Gregory began his the state of the garrison address by updating the chamber on furloughs planned for Department of Defense civilians. He summarized this week’s directive by DoD Secretary Chuck Hagel that civilians will be furloughed one day a week for 11 weeks after July 8.
“The good news is we planned for 22 days, but it’ll only be 11,” Gregory said. “The bad news is our civilian workforce will see a reduction in pay of eight hours a week, which for (some) will amount to about $10,000.”
He suggested their pay reduction will affect the entire community because they’ll have less money to spend.
He waived a flyer that contains information about Stewart-Hunter, especially its economic impact. Stewart-Hunter’s total annual economic impact for Georgia is $5.6 billion. The salaries of about 11,000 soldiers, DoD civilians and military contractors living in Liberty County are nearly $486 million a year, and the more than 3,000 retired soldiers’ pay amounts to nearly $66 million a year. Nearly one-third of the installation’s soldiers, DoD civilians and civilian contractors live in Liberty County.
Gregory also talked about reducing the civilian workforce. He said at the beginning of the year, the installation had about 1,100 civilians. By the end of the fiscal year — Sept. 30 — they expect the number to be down to about 900 with nearly all the cuts absorbed through attrition. He said a mock reduction in force was conducted that identified employees whose jobs were at risk and efforts are being made to offer them jobs at other installations.
He said 3rd ID soldiers are continuing to redeploy from Afghanistan and Kuwait, noting that 145 returned home Wednesday. He said the headquarters battalion is scheduled to return in August and about 90 percent of the division’s 21,000 soldiers will be home by December. He emphasized that when the troops are home, there are no immediate plans for another deployment.
The 3rd ID units will go into a training cycle while also preparing for the Army’s plans cut troops, he said.
Gregory also talked about the Army’s new transition program for soldiers leaving the service called Soldier for Life. He said the Army is helping soldiers planning retirement or approaching the expiration of their term by helping them identify where they’re going, and preparing for civilian life.
“If any of you have positions you’re looking to fill or if you know any employers that are looking for soldiers to hire, please let us know,” Gregory said, then referenced efforts by the state to assist returning soldiers and retiring veterans, including the recently created Returning Veterans Task Force. “The state of Georgia does a great job helping soldiers find jobs with enterprise zones and tax incentives to employers.”

Sign up for our E-Newsletters
Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

Latest Obituaries