FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Equipment Concentration Site 125 (Ground), located at Fort Bragg, N.C., received two prominent Army Awards at the Army Reserve level on April 29, including the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence, and the Chief of Staff, Army, Supply Excellence Award.
Brig. Gen. William Gothard, 81st Regional Support Command deputy commander, presented the awards to the unit.
The mission of the 38 military technicians and nine contractors that make up ECS-125 is to receive, issue, maintain and store equipment for Army Reserve Units. This task includes maintaining over $150 million worth of equipment for the readiness of over 50 Army Reserve units. Winning both awards in the same fiscal year meant focusing on maintaining excellence in everything from maintaining equipment operational readiness to having an active presence in the community, at a higher level than all other USAR units competing.
“It’s a culmination of tireless effort from the ECS staff,” said David Hausler, the ECS-125 manager. “This is the pinnacle of success if you’re running a maintenance facility, and I could not be more proud of my team.”
The Department of the Army established the Army Award for Maintenance Excellence in 1982 to recognize exceptional accomplishment in maintenance and to provide additional incentive to competitive major Army Commands. The award measures exceptional maintenance based on professionalism and leadership within units at different levels, and chooses a winner each fiscal year.
The Chief of Staff, Army, Supply Excellence Award was established in 1984 at the Total Army Worldwide Supply Conference. This award evaluates and recognizes excellence in supply and accountability.
Both awards recognize units dedicated to Army readiness and provide incentive for the commitment of units who serve in a support role.
ECS-125 competed, and received each award in the T.D.A. Small Category. The process of applying for the awards was one that consisted of meticulous documentation while exceeding mission standards to rise to the top against the competition.
Because the AAME achievement requires assessment of all aspects of unit operations, the credit goes to everyone in the unit for coming together to achieve the honor.
Bill Brackley, a heavy mobile equipment specialist, contributed to ECS-125’s success by performing several additional duties including acting fire safety and environmental officer, all of which directly affect the assessment of the unit for the AAME award.
“Safety and environmental practices are major factors in sustaining and maintaining production and readiness,” said Brackley about his roles. “It makes me feel great that my expertise contributed to us receiving the award.”
In contrast to the all-encompassing AAME, the CSASEA results relied heavily on the work performed by the three-person supply section, led by Jessie Withey, the maintenance administrative and supply technician. The process involved dividing all of the tasks that go into maintaining the unit’s supply discipline program and ensuring the packet displayed the exceptional work done over the course of the year.
“To win the CSASEA is a great honor, and it shows that hard work pays off,” said Withey, who is already looking toward competing for the 2014 award. “We’re not done; there are still so many ways to make things better. We’ll be ready for next year.”
As Gothard addressed the ECS-125 team, he expressed how prestigious and well deserved the awards were.
“This signifies a continued level of excellence among employees and they demonstrate a level of dedication to both this job and supporting soldiers that is unmatched” he said. He also stressed the importance of the mission they perform for the USAR, “No one deploys if the equipment isn’t rolling out the door. Being recognized for quality and excellence in these top categories prove your commitment to this task.”
The AAME packet from ECS-125 (G) is currently competing at the Department of the Army level final phase. The Department of the Army On-site Team evaluated ECS-125 (G) Feb. 25. The results will be released when a winner and runner up are determined.