By Pfc. Kimberly Johnson
37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team
CAMP ARIFJAN, Kuwait - The deployed police chief of Franklin, Ohio assumed the role of a city manager on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
Deputy Commanding Officer, Col. Gordon Ellis, 37th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Deputy Commander, Ohio National Guard, went from controlling one facet of Franklin to managing almost every aspect of a "small city", such as water, sewage, electricity, roadways and recreation here. Ironically, except the military police force on base, Ellis controls every component of life support for approximately 6,000 service members.
"My role here is identical to a city manager, with the exception of for police which, here, I have no control over whatsoever," said Ellis, the southern Ohio native. "I have a lot of empathy and frankly a better understanding of the holistic viewpoint my boss has to maintain."
Although he does not have control of the police force on base, he has called upon his civilian skills.
"When I first came here there was a paving plan in progress for Zone 6," said Ellis. "A big part of what I do at home is review all street plans for safety, flow and efficiency.
According to Ellis, when he was reviewing the Zone 6 street plan, he noticed one key element missing.
"Where's [the Zone 6] crosswalk plan?" Ellis asked.
"The only reason I thought of that was because of what I do back home," said Ellis. "That skill set immediately came into play when I got here."
With Ellis' expertise on crosswalk and speed bump plans and many engineering meetings, the road network and crosswalk plan achieves an overall effect to assist the public.
Zone 6 is now ten kilometers faster and more efficient, all while keeping the safety of pedestrians in mind.
"I am fundamentally apposed to the idea that joggers are going faster than I am," said Ellis. "In my opinion it's a win-win, you can do both and that's what we have proven here."
As a citizen and a Soldier, Ellis serves among the highest echelons of leadership in his community and the Ohio National Guard, protecting his family, his city and his country with a deeply-embedded honor.
"Soldiering is a noble profession," said Ellis. "Every generation has their call to duty. This is mine. I am proud of my nation and it's worth fighting for."