Courtesy Photo | Army Col. Allen Kiefer (right) receives a shadowbox containing a flag and medals...... read more read more
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FORT BELVOIR, Va. - Outgoing Defense Logistics Agency Inspector General Army Col. Allen Kiefer is an honest and ethical man whose accomplishments are plenty, DLA Director Navy Vice Adm. Mark Harnitchek said May 9 during Kiefer’s retirement ceremony at the McNamara Headquarters Complex.
Most service members are humble about their accomplishments, and Kiefer is no exception, Harnitchek said.
“Al has given so much to the Army and DLA, and I’m honored to be with all of you here today as we say farewell to one of our own, a man who has given more than 30 years of service to his country,” he said. “He’s a combat veteran of Desert Storm and the war in Iraq, and he’s the recipient of two Bronze Stars. So I’m really very proud to be here to speak at your ceremony about a great American.”
During the ceremony, Harnitchek touched on Kiefer’s role as inspector general, calling it an essential and critical piece in keeping the agency’s operations fair and ethical.
“We spend about $40 billion a year, have 27,000 people and write 500,000 procurement actions every year, so we have a lot of big numbers here,” he said. “And there’s one [person] in the organization that has to make sure that we’re unequivocally fair across the board and that we are ethical in all our doings - with each other, with our other service partners and with the folks we write contracts with, and that’s called the inspector general. It’s one of the toughest jobs that I’ve seen anybody do, and Al has done it fabulously.”
Like a referee in football, as inspector general, Kiefer was tasked with making the right calls at the right time for the entire agency, Harnitchek said.
“We’re playing a big game here,” he said. “He’s got to make the call right away because, unlike the [National Football League], there’s no instant replay here. And frankly, no taking the penalty flag back once it’s been thrown. So you have to have someone you can depend on. Someone who’s bold, someone who’s accountable and someone who’s confident, and Al has done that very well. He always delivers.”
Noting some of the accomplishments that the Office of the Inspector General has achieved in the past year, including reducing the time it takes to complete an audit from years to days, Harnitchek noted that each of Kiefer’s accomplishments have made DLA a better organization.
“What I asked Al and his team to do was get the audits done in 90 days,” he said. “I didn’t give Al any more people; I didn’t give him any more money. I said, ‘You got what you got, [now] you’ve got to go fix it,’ and he did. They reduced the number of old recommendations from 108 to about 10 almost overnight. They got that [audit] time down from hundreds of days to 90 days. He created new credentials and badges and a smoother process for weapons authorization and established relationships all over DLA that ensured cooperation and collaboration at all levels. … So when you look at DLA and where we were a year ago versus where we are now, we’re a better organization in everything we do because of Al and his folks.”
Praising Kiefer’s commitment to the Army and to his people, Harnitchek commended Kiefer’s deep sense of responsibility to the people around him.
“Al, you have been an amazing leader, an outstanding Soldier, and I know we’re sending out into the big, wide world a man of character, resilience, fortitude, humility and kindness,” he said. “No matter what comes your way, I know you’ll meet it with the same steadfastness, dedication and wherewithal that has made you a great Army Soldier.”
After several hearing anecdotes sent in from former co-workers, current DLA employees and service members from Kiefer’s past and present positions, Kiefer took to the podium proclaiming, “It’s a great day to be a Soldier.”
After thanking his family and senior leaders and guests in attendance, Kiefer also thanked and acknowledged those who weren’t there: those who had given the ultimate sacrifice.
“I retire today in the midst of U.S. history, and I have been privileged to be allowed to serve our great nation,” he said. “And what a journey this has been. On my official retirement date of July 31, I will have spent two-thirds of my life in uniform. … And as I reflect on that time, … there’s so many people that I owe my success to, it’s difficult to be brief.”
Kiefer said he knows he will miss the military.
“I’ve had so many great adventures over the years,” he said, “first as a cavalry scout private, then as a cavalry lieutenant, … to the quartermaster corps and finally as a logistician. And as I think back on the places I’ve been and the things I’ve done, it’s truly been an amazing voyage. … One thing I do know is I’m going to miss the Army a lot.”
During his speech, Kiefer also offered several pieces of advice to the members of the audience.
“Do your best at whatever assignment you’re given,” he said. “Focus on your lane. Take care of your people and your bosses and they will take care of you. Never tell people how to do things; tell them what to do and they will surprise you with their ingenuity. There is no limit to the good you can do if you don’t care who gets the credit. And everything you do must allow you to sleep well at night.”
In addition to an official certificate of retirement, Harnitchek presented Kiefer with the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, a silver DLA letter signed by Harnitchek, and a certificate of appreciation from President Barack Obama. Kiefer also received a shadow box containing a flag and medals commemorating his 32-year career.
During his career, Kiefer served in several military assignments including as commander of 364th Supply Company, which provided humanitarian relief efforts after Hurricane Andrew struck Florida. While assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he commanded the 7th Transportation Battalion (Airborne), which deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom, conducting 1,631 convoy security missions in Iraq. In 2009, he served as a senior strategic planner on the Army Staff and afterwards, was selected as the chief of staff for two Secretary of the Army Reviews: the Fort Hood Internal Review and the Task Force on Behavioral Health. He assumed the duties of DLA Inspector General in June 2013.
| Date Taken: | 05.12.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 05.15.2014 15:14 |
| Story ID: | 129980 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 105 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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