WINCHESTER, Va.- Lt. Gen Thomas Bostick, U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, spoke to Transatlantic Division and Middle East District employees during a town hall, Oct. 15.
During the event, Bostick thanked employees for the work they do supporting the war efforts in Afghanistan.
Bostick talked about the role civilians play in forward deployed areas and said although civilians don’t often receive recognition for their sacrifices, the mission could not be accomplished without them.
Combatant commanders depend on USACE civilians deployed. The work they do helps to keep warfighters safe, he said.
Employees that provide reach back support back are equally important, he said.
“Those deployed count on you each day, sometimes by the hour,” he said.
Bostick also mentioned that Army officers are developed over the course of their career to take on higher ranks and more responsibility and it’s equally important that the same happens with civilians.
He also expressed concern about retaining quality employees, especially in the current fiscal climate.
“We have the best scientists and engineers in the world,” Bostick said. “Our people are the heart and soul of our organization.”
Bostick spoke about his four priorities; supporting the warfighter, transforming civil works, reducing disaster risk and preparing for tomorrow.
He also presented awards and coins to several district and division employees.