Page 1 - Ft. Irwin High Desert Warrior, March 2019
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Volume 15, Number 3 Published in the interest of the National Training Center and Fort Irwin community • www.irwin.army.mil March 1, 2019
Town halls address housing, barracks
concerns at Fort Irwin, across military
Story and Photo by Janell J. Lewis Ford and hundreds watched online. There is another Town Hall on April More than 300 people crowded into the Sandy Basin
1 that will also address housing concerns and key military leaders will Community Center to voice their concerns and get a Fort
Garrison Public Affairs be visiting houses across the installation over the next several months. Irwin housing update.
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Fort Irwin military leaders are ad- (From left to right): Megan Dougherty (Clark Realty Senior
dressing a recent, national report that looked into the living condi- The Secretary of the Army, Mark Esper, said the military is com- Development Associate), Carlos Proano (West Coast V.P.,
tions of families in privatized military housing. Commanding Brig. mitted to its Soldiers and will hold military chain of command and Michaels Management Services), Adam Hay (Community
Gen. Jeffery Broadwater, as well as Garrison Commander, Col. Seth private contractors accountable. Director, Michaels Management Services), Sandy Key (Chief
Krummrich and their staff have been working with RCI/Housing of Housing Division RCI Program Manager), Col. Krummrich
to ensure residents have housing that is safe, healthy and satisfying “Our most sacred obligation as Army leaders is to take care of (Garrison Commander), Brig. Gen. Broadwater (NTC
at the National Training Center. our people — our Soldiers and our family members. We are fully Commanding General), John Demers (Garrison Deputy
On Feb. 13, the Senate Committee on Armed Services Joint committed to providing a safe and secure environment on all of our Commander), Command Sgt. Maj. Lowe, Command Sg.
Subcommittee heard from military families who complained of mold, installations.†Maj. Edwards
mice, rats, roaches, asbestos, lead in the water and leaking ceilings in
their military housing that is owned by private companies. Housing will continue to listen to and address any of the Fort
Soldiers and their families at the National Training Center have Irwin community’s concerns, including service, repairs, updating,
been fortunate enough to live in a safe, clean, healthy and high- and renovating, swiftly and as needed, and will do so with care
quality environment, as Housing confirms Fort Irwin has not been and concern. Housing encourages residents to continue to provide
bombarded with work orders pertaining to those kinds of issues. The feedback and share their concerns, so that together we can ensure
communities consist of privatized housing managed by Michaels complete satisfaction.
Military Housing.
Michaels is among the privatized housing companies that will be There is an emergency hotline that residents can call for major
a part of a focused inspection across dozens of military installations to housing concerns at (760)380-7777. Residents are also encouraged to
ensure military residents continue to have accommodations that meet participate in one of the three, upcoming DAIGTown Halls (March
or exceed all standards and provide the quality of life that is expected 4 at 2p.m. and 6p.m. and March 5 at 10a.m.); and to participate
for Soldiers, civilian employees and their families. in the April 1 Town Hall on the summer PCS season and Housing
The Commanding General and Garrison senior leaders, along with the Commanding General; to continue to ask questions on the
with Housing directors held a Town Hall on Feb. 27 that answered weekly Garrison Facebook Round-up each Wednesday at 2:30p.m.;
dozens of questions both in person and digitally, through a Facebook and residents can continue to file housing work orders and ICE
Live source. More than 300 Soldiers, spouses and civilians attended complaints, if needed. Leadership has begun personal housing visits
to tackle concerns.
During the Town Hall, Housing entered work orders in their
system in person with residents and Housing scheduled face-to-face
meetings while at the Town Hall.
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Speaker attributes Civil Rights Leader for his personal, career achievements
by Casey Slusser
Casey Slusser, Contributor Contributor
FORT IRWIN, Calif. — Soldiers, Fort Irwin leadership and members of the Fort Irwin
Maj. Gen. (ret.) Peter James Gravett speak to large audience about he and his father’s community attended an observance celebrating Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day at the Sandy
journey to become soldiers during the World War II and Civil Rights eras. Basin Community Center on January 30. The Fort Irwin community celebrated the Civil
Rights leader and minister with a commemoration recognizing his historical achievements.
The backdrop of the event was, “Remember! Celebrate! Act! A Day On, Not a Day Off!â€
Guests first watched Dr. King’s, “I Have a Dream†speech, which Time Magazine declared
the best speech of all time in 2002. The event’s speaker, Maj. Gen. (ret.) Peter James Gravett,
was then introduced.
“I was stationed here [Fort Irwin] many times over the years,†Gravett said. “I looked
around when I drove in, at the structures that are around and you should be thankful you’re
being taken care of here. I was living in tents while I was here.â€
He went on to talk about the great character of King.
“Dr. King, as you know, was a remarkable person, and I have tried to pattern my life after
his ideals, and the things he stood for. I’m still working on that as I stand here,†Gravett said.
See MLK, Page 7
