Commander's Blog

Important success factors in any organization are good education and counseling; and, I am pleased to report that U. S. Army Medical Materiel Development Activity (USAMMDA) staff is enjoying the best of both.

LTC Michael A. Robertson, inspector general (IG) for the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command, confirmed our staff is receiving excellent access to civilian education, and complete performance counseling. He concluded this after spending most of March 29, 2016 completing USAMMDA's first IG Inspection.

According to Tara Mose, our Civilian Human Resource Officer at USAMMDA, the inspection helps determine if all civilian workers complete their Personnel Demonstration Project performance review, which includes individual objectives for the year. This is important, because how well civilians meet these objectives helps determine pay increases.

I also say with pride that part of what made this review go so smoothly and successfully was how quickly Mose pulled together all the items for the review. Anyone who has been part of such efforts knows how much easier they go when you aren't searching for missing forms at the last minute.

Robertson spent half the day reviewing records, and admiring how Mose so easily presented the information, and how she explained her methods.

Additionally, Robertson praised Mose for creating the automated system that reminds principals at every review time, and keeps prodding managers to complete overdue reviews. Mose also implemented a system for escalating the issue if a manger fails to complete review.

Everyone the IG interacted with during the inspection, lauded Mose and her efforts. According to Robertson, co-workers identified Mose as knowledgeable, efficient, and as someone who produced results.

Some of the inspection highlights included:

• Most civilian and military initial counseling sessions occur within the first 30 days of the rating period. Timely counseling eliminates issues of managers waiting too long or forgetting finish counseling until the very end. Also, Mose noted it is required by DOD regulation, and if ignored could lead to a grievance.
• Initial counseling sessions are also the only way employees can truly understand what is expected of them and how to attain specific goals. Such direction, according to Mose, is critical for new employees.
• Most civilians provided input to and met face-to-face with their rater. According to Robertson and Mose, face-to-face counseling far surpasses the effectiveness of online or telephone counseling. By meeting in person, participants can read body language, hear intonation, and walk away with a much better understanding of exactly what's expected. As Mose said me, "You miss too much on the phone and emails are always getting misinterpreted."

Again, I am pleased and proud of the results of this IG inspection. Hooah!