JBSA-FORT SAM HOUSTON –
Senior leaders from Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston held a town hall meeting Jan. 21 - one of three scheduled that week - at Evans Theater to give the latest updates to the community on continuing changes, cutbacks and improvements coming for the installation in 2014.
Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and senior Army commander for JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and JBSA-Camp Bullis, opened the session by introducing Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, commander, 502nd Air Base Wing and Joint Base San Antonio, and reiterating to the audience that it was no surprise to anyone that as the Department of Defense is going through some budget cuts, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston will feel it as well.
"We need your input on how these changes are affecting you," Wiggins said. "It's not an easy road ahead, but we can get through this working together."
Brig. Gen. Bob LaBrutta, followed and was joined by his fellow commanders and several subject matter experts to allow those attending and the greater community to ask them questions on upcoming changes and to get the most up-to-date information on those programs which will be adjusted as a result of the budget reductions which began last year.
"In 2013, we had to reduce and adjust installation support and services across JBSA," LaBrutta said. "There is going to continue to be reductions in dollars for the future. The fiscal year 2014 budget slows readiness decline but does not undo sequestration or allow full-spectrum readiness recovery."
He went on to explain that although there will be funding cuts; the news isn't as bad as originally projected.
The initial projections called for a 41 percent cut, or approximately $100 million, but under the new budget agreement, the anticipated cut has been reduced to approximately 10 to 15 percent.
Among the topics presented that evening were base security and the phased implementation plan for all entry and access control points, the recently opened visitor control centers, library closures, standardizing of custodial services to "basic" levels and further reducing grounds maintenance.
LaBrutta had those individuals who oversee security for the base and medical operations at Brooke Army Medical Center speak to the attendees as well.
Matt Barido, JBSA-Fort Sam Houston Security Forces director, and BAMC Commander Col. Kyle Campbell spoke about their respective areas of concern, including taking questions after briefing their portion of the meeting.
Several questions were asked about specific situations which community members have encountered or wanted to know more about, such as proper reporting for suspicious activities, registering guests to the installation when they visit, resolving appointment issues in the medical system for those who work for one service but live in another area, and even ways to reduce the number of missed or late appointments, which Campbell said was a big priority for him. "Each no show affects three people," Campbell emphasized. "This is a serious issue."
LaBrutta said while they have their priorities of issues to address, each question and topic will be given due attention and looked into accordingly.
"Safety and security are our top priorities," he said. "However, we have to think differently ... to think outside the box. We have to go back to the way we used to do things."
Wiggins reiterated what LaBrutta explained. "The way we did business in the past, at least the past 13 years, is not how we're going to solve the future of our services," Wiggins said.
Both Wiggins and LaBrutta explained the importance of town halls. "Bottom line, town halls are all about getting after issues and being informative. And one thing that is true about the leadership team here on JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, we're all about getting after tough issues and putting out information - that is what's key."