JanuaryPointer 24, View 2013 1 stories are updated and posted weekly at www.usma.edu. OINTER IEW® PVOL. 70, NO. 3 SERVING THE COMMUNITY OF WEST PVOINT AND THE U.S. MILITARY ACADEMY JANUARY 24, 2013 Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke assumed command of the Corps of Cadets during a ceremony Jan. 18 at Cullum Hall. As the 74th Commandant of Cadets, Clarke said he was humbled and excited to be chosen to serve at the U.S. Military Academy, where he graduated in 1984 and commissioned as an infantry officer. Clarke arrived at West Point after serving as the deputy commanding general of operations for the 10th Mountain Division (Light) at Fort Drum, N.Y. There, Clarke was credited with improving Soldier readiness and helped organize one of the installation’s largest training exercises with more than 10,000 Soldiers participating in Mountain Peak in July 2012 (www. army.mil/article/84202/ Mountain_Peak_exercise_ kicks_off_at_Fort_Drum/). Brig. Gen. Theodore Martin relinquished command of the Corps and will next serve as the commanding general of the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. PHOTO BY JOHN PELLINO, DPTMS West Point welcomes Clarke as 74th Commandant of Cadets Martin leaves to assume command of National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif. By Mike Strasser commandant is responsible for overseeing Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi “And you’re actually here to take photos Assistant Editor the administration, discipline and military Freedom. so that there is proof positive that this is taking training of cadets. “Rich is a warrior-leader with rock-solid place,” Clarke said. “Despite the disbelief, I The U.S. Military Academy welcomed “The role of the commandant in the credentials for competence and with a heart am here. And the dean has promised me he Brig. Gen. Richard D. Clarke as the 74th United States Military Academy has changed for Soldiers,” Huntoon said. “He will excel will not release my records.” commandant of the Corps of Cadets Jan. 18 over the past 200 years but the fundamental as the commandant for cadets.” Joking aside, Clarke said it is the mission during a change of command ceremony at purpose holds steady, to best prepare our Thinking back to his time as a cadet, of the U.S. Military Academy that will be Cullum Hall. cadets for their future role as values-based Clarke said it was unimaginable to even his focus and priority as he leads the Corps Clarke, the former deputy commanding commissioned officers,” Superintendent Lt. consider back then the opportunity of of Cadets. general of operations for the 10th Mountain Gen. David H. Huntoon Jr. said. becoming the commandant, so when it “We have an incredibly important mission Division (Light) at Fort Drum, N.Y., comes to Huntoon said Clarke arrived to West Point happens it is both exciting and humbling. here and I believe in that mission with all of West Point with nearly 28 years of leadership with a remarkable record of selfless service Jokingly, he addressed his fellow classmates my heart … to develop commissioned leaders experience at every level of command from and professionalism, having commanded from the Class of 1984 in attendance that, of character committed to the values of duty, company to brigade. multiple infantry units in combat and to them, the change of command must seem honor and country,” Clarke said. As the Corps’ senior ranking officer, the served in support of Desert Storm and both incredulous. See COMMANDANT, Page 3 2 January 24, 2013 Commentary Pointer View Army freezes hiring, cuts base ops, reduces training By C. Todd Lopez measures spelled out in the memo is Army senior leadership has Army News Service a termination of temporary employees also spelled out changes for Army when “consistent with mission acquisition, logistics and technology. More guidance to follow In advance of possible extreme requirements.” All production contracts and budget cuts that could arrive in March, The memo also directs installation research, development, testing and Army leadership has called for an commanders to reduce base operations evaluation contracts that exceed $500 regarding hiring freeze immediate hiring freeze and spelled support for fiscal year 2013, which million must be reviewed by the under By Carol McQuinn out other pre-emptive measures meant runs from Oct. 1, 2012 to Sept. 30, secretary of defense for acquisition, Human Resources Officer to help the service prepare for a fiscal 2013, to levels that are about 70 logistics and technology. cliff. percent of fiscal year 2012. The assistant secretary of the The Army faces significant budget uncertainty in the In a memo dated Jan. 16, Secretary Commanders have been asked Army for acquisition, logistics and coming months. To reduce expenditures, the Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh and to reduce support to community and technology must also assess the of the Army implemented an Armywide civilian hiring Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Ray recreational activities and to also impacts of “budgetary uncertainty” freeze Jan. 16 and also directed that temporary employees Odierno laid out 15 “near-term” reduce utilities consumption “to the on science and technology accounts. be terminated and term employees not be extended actions to help the Army “reduce our maximum extent possible.” The secretary and chief of staff beyond their not-to-exceed date. expenditure rate and mitigate budget Non-mission-essential training state civilian furloughs could be a The Civilian Human Resources Agency has authorized execution risks in order to avoid even activities are also up for reduction. “last resort” possibility in fiscal year local Civilian Personnel Advisory Centers to continue more serious future fiscal shortfalls.” In particular, training not related to 2013. “Therefore, no action should be to advertise vacancies and refer candidates for these “We expect commanders and maintaining “readiness for Operation taken with regard to furloughs without positions. supervisors at all levels to implement Enduring Freedom, the Korean the express approval of the secretary However, CPACs are prohibited from making both the guidance contained in forward-deployed units, Homeland of the Army.” any official job offers to candidates at this time. This this memorandum and the detailed Defense and the Division Ready Any measures taken as a result of applies to both appropriated and non-appropriated fund instructions to follow,” wrote McHugh Brigade.” the Jan. 16 memo must be reversible, positions. Any official offers made prior to Jan. 16 are and Odierno. “The fiscal situation and Also targeted is conference the document states. still valid. Temporary and term employees will not be outlook are serious.” attendance and professional training “At this point, the steps should extended beyond their not-to-exceed date. WHAT HAPPENS NOW that is not mission essential. focus on actions that are reversible if The Department of the Army will issue implementing First among those actions is The secretary and the chief have the budgetary situation improves and guidance later this week, which will describe the specific an immediate freeze on civilian also directed installation commanders should minimize harm to readiness,” details of the hiring freeze, if exceptions can be granted hiring, though Army leaders have left to cease facility sustainment activity McHugh and Odierno wrote. and, if so, who has approval authority. commanders with some latitude in the that is not “directly connected to The memo also notes that “funding Contact Carol McQuinn, human resources officer, policy for “humanitarian and mission- matters of life, health or safety,” and related to wartime operations and or Anne Hoff, supervisory human resources specialist, critical purposes.” to stop restoration and modernization Wounded Warrior programs” will not at 845-938-3943. Also among employment-related projects. be affected. Army eliminates Direct Ground Combat Definition, Assignment Rule A joint statement on behalf of the Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh, and the Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno “We welcome the decision to eliminate the Direct Ground Combat Definition and support and implement changes to personnel policies in an integrated and phased Assignment Rule. Throughout over a decade of war, the leadership, contributions and approach. sacrifice of women Soldiers have been absolutely invaluable to the Army’s success. “Over the next few months, we will continue to analyze gender neutral standards and The Army has led the effort to eliminate gender-based barriers to service, such as our open additional occupational specialties to women in a deliberate way that preserves implementation of the exception to policy allowing women to be assigned to select unit readiness, cohesion and morale. Fundamentally, this is about managing talent and positions in ground combat units at battalion level. We will continue to proactively posturing the Army and individual Soldiers for success.” 40 Mulberry Street, Middletown, NY 10940 POINTER VIEW ® recordonline.com The Army civilian enterprise newspaper, the Pointer View, is an authorized publication for members of the Department of For more information, call 845-341-1100. Defense. Contents of the Pointer View are not necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, the U.S. Government, the Depart- ment of the Army or West Point. If you have delivery problems or want to The Pointer View ® is an unofficial publication authorized by AR 360-1. The editorial content of the Pointer View is the respon- subscribe to the Pointer View, call sibility of the West Point Public Affairs Office, Bldg. 600, West Point, New York 10996, (845) 938-2015. 845-343-2181, ext. 3560. 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