Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet, USAREC commanding general presents Brig. Gen. James Iacocca, outgoing USAREC deputy commanding general with an award during the DCG's farewell ceremony March 13.
USAREC DCG James Iacocca Bids Farewell
By Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
March 13, 2015
Today was a bittersweet moment for Brig. Gen. James Iacocca, U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s deputy commanding general, as he said goodbye to the command.
“While I’m excited to begin my new assignment and serve Soldiers and families as the adjutant general of the Army, I’m sorry to leave people and a mission of which I’ve grown quite fond,” Iacocca said at his farewell ceremony.
Having served as the 3rd Recruiting Brigade commander from 2008 – 2010, Iacocca wasn’t a novice when he returned to be the command’s deputy commanding officer in June 2013, but he said he had not fully appreciated all the challenges - and the depth of some of them - with which headquarters has to deal.
“When I was a brigade commander, all I had to deal with was putting people in the Army,” Iacocca said. “Headquarters has to fight for money and resources and issues with propensity. Over the past 21 months, the command has dealt with difficult issues like tightening requirements for recruiters, reductions at headquarters, and an increasingly difficult recruiting market. In every instance, the team rose to the challenge to tackle the tough issues and provide the commanding general the best possible courses of action.”
Based on the CG’s influence, guidance and involvement with civilian and Army institutions, Iacocca said the staff has reached unprecedented levels of performance, making great strides in simplifying doctrine and regulations and implementing the latest in technology to recruit – changes that will benefit the command for years to come.
Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet, USAREC commanding general said Iacocca's impact on USAREC will be long lasting.
"Jim has been a close confidant and an integral part in transitioning USAREC to meet the challenging fiscal environment as the Army implements Force 2025. His bottom-to-top knowledge of USAREC provided avenues to gain organizational efficiencies and mission effectiveness as we work the current mission and prepare ourselves for the Army of the future.
"Jim carries success with him where he serves. Each time he leaves a command, he leaves behind a stronger team."
Saying families of commanders are an invaluable part of the command, Batschelet commended Iacocca's wife, Sandy, for her work with spouses and families, the Red Cross, and the Fort Knox community.
"Sandy's work created a higher quality of life, teamwork, and communication within the command. Her emphasis on Soldier and family quality of life has been the hallmark of her time supporting the Army, and she has done it well."
Iacocca paid tribute to the brigades, battalions, companies and centers for doing the heavy lifting of putting Soldiers in the Army.
“Our formations are doing tremendous work to ensure the strength of the nation,” Iacocca said. “Yes, I said the strength of the nation, because the Army provides that strength, and the only way Soldiers join the Army is through USAREC.”
Grateful for the opportunity to serve as USAREC’s DCG, Iacocca said the role further developed his skills in leadership and span of influence which will benefit him as the adjutant general of the Army.
Iacocca will remain at Fort Knox and begins his new role March 16.
“Sandy and I are so excited to be staying at Fort Knox,” he said. ”We really like it here. It’s a great place to work and live with great community support.”
Incoming USAREC Deputy Commanding Officer Col. Donna Martin begins her new role March 30.
By Fonda Bock, USAREC, Public Affairs Office
March 13, 2015
Today was a bittersweet moment for Brig. Gen. James Iacocca, U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s deputy commanding general, as he said goodbye to the command.
“While I’m excited to begin my new assignment and serve Soldiers and families as the adjutant general of the Army, I’m sorry to leave people and a mission of which I’ve grown quite fond,” Iacocca said at his farewell ceremony.
Having served as the 3rd Recruiting Brigade commander from 2008 – 2010, Iacocca wasn’t a novice when he returned to be the command’s deputy commanding officer in June 2013, but he said he had not fully appreciated all the challenges - and the depth of some of them - with which headquarters has to deal.
“When I was a brigade commander, all I had to deal with was putting people in the Army,” Iacocca said. “Headquarters has to fight for money and resources and issues with propensity. Over the past 21 months, the command has dealt with difficult issues like tightening requirements for recruiters, reductions at headquarters, and an increasingly difficult recruiting market. In every instance, the team rose to the challenge to tackle the tough issues and provide the commanding general the best possible courses of action.”
Based on the CG’s influence, guidance and involvement with civilian and Army institutions, Iacocca said the staff has reached unprecedented levels of performance, making great strides in simplifying doctrine and regulations and implementing the latest in technology to recruit – changes that will benefit the command for years to come.
Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet, USAREC commanding general said Iacocca's impact on USAREC will be long lasting.
"Jim has been a close confidant and an integral part in transitioning USAREC to meet the challenging fiscal environment as the Army implements Force 2025. His bottom-to-top knowledge of USAREC provided avenues to gain organizational efficiencies and mission effectiveness as we work the current mission and prepare ourselves for the Army of the future.
"Jim carries success with him where he serves. Each time he leaves a command, he leaves behind a stronger team."
Saying families of commanders are an invaluable part of the command, Batschelet commended Iacocca's wife, Sandy, for her work with spouses and families, the Red Cross, and the Fort Knox community.
"Sandy's work created a higher quality of life, teamwork, and communication within the command. Her emphasis on Soldier and family quality of life has been the hallmark of her time supporting the Army, and she has done it well."
Iacocca paid tribute to the brigades, battalions, companies and centers for doing the heavy lifting of putting Soldiers in the Army.
“Our formations are doing tremendous work to ensure the strength of the nation,” Iacocca said. “Yes, I said the strength of the nation, because the Army provides that strength, and the only way Soldiers join the Army is through USAREC.”
Grateful for the opportunity to serve as USAREC’s DCG, Iacocca said the role further developed his skills in leadership and span of influence which will benefit him as the adjutant general of the Army.
Iacocca will remain at Fort Knox and begins his new role March 16.
“Sandy and I are so excited to be staying at Fort Knox,” he said. ”We really like it here. It’s a great place to work and live with great community support.”
Incoming USAREC Deputy Commanding Officer Col. Donna Martin begins her new role March 30.
Maj. Gen. Allen Batschelet USAREC commanding general recognizes Sandy Iacocca for her work with spouses and families during her husband's ( Brig. Gen. James Iacocca, USAREC deputy DCG) farewell ceremony March 13. Photo by Lynsie Dickerson.