02/25/2021
INDEPENDENT REVIEW 60 DAY UPDATE
On behalf of LTG White and CSM Burgoyne, please see the Fort Hood Independent Review 60 Day Update Message.
Teammates, Families, and Friends,
The Fort Hood Independent Review Committee's (FHIRC) examination of the climate and culture at Fort Hood identified 9 findings and 70 recommendations, candidly highlighting areas in need of improvement. CSM and I appreciate the Committee's hard, honest look and remain fully committed to taking action on their recommendations. We ask you all to help - wherever you can - as it will take a cohesive effort by us all to create a lasting, positive change for Fort Hood and our Army.
While roughly a quarter of the FHIRC's proposals require higher level action, we've taken full ownership of the Committee's recommendations. III Corps has initiated action on over 80% of FHIRC's recommendations that reside at our level and we remain in close coordination with both FORSCOM and the Army's newly formed People First Task Force to address all others.
To date, III Corps is nearing completion on 15 of the 70 recommendations. One example of these actions is the III Corps Missing Soldier Reporting Checklist, which supports the Army's revised Missing Soldier policy. In an effort to create and sustain a safer living environment for our Soldiers, command teams have been directed to conduct routine barracks checks to identify and report maintenance and safety concerns. Additionally, we are engaging with local civilian law enforcement and civic leaders monthly to provide accurate and timely information regarding events at Fort Hood. Recently, we conducted an Armed Forces Disciplinary Control Board to review local businesses that do not meet the safety and health standards in our community, resulting in both Club Krush in Harker Heights and MJ's Sports Bar and Grill in Killeen being placed off limits. Finally, we have been able to establish changes to the Sexual Harassment and Assault Response Prevention (SHARP) program to allow increased transparency while maintaining victim privacy. We are now publishing the Teal Hash reports (a summary of significant legal actions taken against sexual assault subjects) monthly before Foundational Training days for Leaders to review and discuss with their Soldiers.
III Corps has also initiated major action on 27 additional FHIRC recommendations, including actions such as the III Corps' Sisters in Arms Mentorship Program that focuses on the support and mentorship of our female Soldiers, the Supporting Warriors Action Teams (SWAT) that we are implementing at the platoon and company level, and the SHARP Ambassador Program implemented at the team and squad level. Furthermore, we are creating a law enforcement ride-a-long program to allow our Leaders to accompany civilian law enforcement officers on local patrols, enhancing community relations while ensuring good order and discipline. We are also working to embed a military police liaison within each of the surrounding law enforcement departments to increase communication between law enforcement agencies. Finally, the Army recently announced Fort Hood would be 1 of 6 installations to receive a portion of a $1.1 billion investment to improve on post housing and barracks.
As we continue to move forward, we ask everyone to be a part of the solution! Stand up for and protect one another - This is your Squad! We are your Corps!
People First! Phantom Lethal!
