Photo By Chief Petty Officer Kathryn Macdonald | Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan speaks at the Office of Inspector...... read more read more
Principal Deputy Inspector General Glenn Fine hosted the 29th Annual DoD OIG Honorary Awards Ceremony March 14 at OIG Headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia.
The annual event recognized the significant achievements of OIG employees who distinguished themselves during the previous fiscal year.
“I would like to thank all OIG employees for the contributions you make to the critical mission that we have here in the DoD OIG – to detect and deter waste, fraud, and abuse throughout the Department of Defense, to promote the economy, efficiency and effectiveness of DoD operations, and to help ensure ethical conduct throughout the Department of Defense,” said Mr. Fine.
Among the nearly 200 awards distributed, eight employees received the OIG’s Distinguished Civilian Service Award, 16 received the OIG’s Superior Civilian Service Award, and 41 received the OIG’s Meritorious Civilian Service Award.
Along with the Honorary Awards, the ceremony also included Component-Unique Awards, as well as nine new award categories, some of which were suggested by the Employee Engagement Council.
“These new awards recognize employees from across the OIG who have significantly contributed to the OIG’s mission,” said Mr. Fine. “We created these awards to expand our recognition for employees whose accomplishments don’t always fit in the standard, regular awards.”
The new awards are: the Mentor Award, the Intern of the Year Award, the Leadership Award, the Diversity and Inclusion Award, the Spirit Award, the Collaboration Award, the Mission Support Award, the Administrative Support Award, and the Military Detachment Member of the Year Award.
The guest speaker for the ceremony was Deputy Secretary of Defense Patrick M. Shanahan, who congratulated the awardees, and spoke about the importance of morale.
“[Secretary of Defense James Mattis] talks about team cohesion and how important that is, and I’ve never been in a place that has more cohesion than the Department of Defense.”
Prior to becoming the 33rd Deputy Secretary of Defense in July 2017, Secretary Shanahan spent 30 years working in industry, and he said the professional relationships within the DoD have a depth that is unmatched in the private sector. He added that he is slightly envious of Mr. Fine’s OIG team, citing the agency’s recent award as the “2017 Most Improved Among Federal Inspectors General” presented by the Partnership for Public Service earlier this year.
“At the end of the day, we’re really in the people business – it’s all about people,” said Secretary Shanahan. “It’s truly great to see those results.”
Secretary Shanahan said the Secretary of Defense perceives the OIG as a critical function within the DoD, noting the $333 million identified in questioned costs and $805 million in funds that could be put to better use. In addition to the highlights of fiscal year 2017, the Secretary also spoke about the future of the department and how the OIG can assist with the National Defense Strategy set forth by Secretary Mattis.
“This year, for the first time, we’re going to have a budget that allows us to support the strategy that’s been put in place,” he said. “This is the area where we need your help.”
Secretary Shanahan said the OIG would be central to helping the Pentagon with thoughtfully-chosen oversight projects, conducted with integrity. He referenced the department-wide financial statement audit.
“When you get a chance please read the National Defense Strategy. The value in reading it is so that you can help get aligned with our priorities because that’s where we need to do the heavy lifting.”
He also spoke about what he calls the “Mattis Management System,” which involves driving more accountability, is focused on results, and leverages all of the skills and resources of the department.
“By the time we’re done,” he said. “We’ll have put in place something that’s enduring – an environment where people are driven by facts and data, and where we have people who are responsible and accountable for the results.”
| Date Taken: | 03.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.20.2018 12:20 |
| Story ID: | 269982 |
| Location: | ALEXANDRIA, VA, US |
| Web Views: | 164 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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