Benelux leaders introduce new approach to on-boarding employees

By Ms. Jessica Marie Ryan (IMCOM Europe)January 12, 2018

Thomas Joyce talks to new employees
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Thomas Joyce, deputy to the garrison commander of U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, talks about the organization's leadership pledge during Team Member Orientation Jan. 9, 2018,in Caserne Daumerie in Chièvres, Belgium. The pledge supports U.S. Army ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
CSM Samara Pitre engages with new employees at on-boarding session
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Samara Pitre, command sergeant major for U.S. Army Garrison Benelux, engages with garrison employees during Team Member Orientation Jan. 9, 2018,in Caserne Daumerie in Chièvres, Belgium. The TMO supports U.S. Army Installatio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

CHIÈVRES, Belgium -- On-boarding a new employee may seem like a typical process. The employee's supervisor or sponsor may do the usual administrative tasks, such as giving a tour of the office, explaining duties and responsibilities, and helping with in-processing procedures.

However, on-boarding new employees is more than an administrative process. That's the approach that leaders are taking as they put together an impactful on-boarding and orientation experience to welcome employees to the Benelux team.

On Jan. 9, U.S. Army Garrison Benelux hosted its first on-boarding session called "Team Member Orientation" at Caserne Daumerie in Chièvres, Belgium. The session brought garrison leaders and new employees, from different locations in the Benelux footprint, in the same room.

The new approach supports the U.S. Army Installation Management Command's Service Culture Initiative. According to IMCOM, the initiative is "built upon the fundamental premise that excellence in customer service is a byproduct of how we treat our IMCOM professionals. If they are happy, well-informed and cared for, they will convey this positive attitude toward our Soldiers and Families."

The session was an opportunity for leaders to meet new employees. Employees and the command leaders participated in an icebreaker exercise where they introduced themselves by telling two truths and a lie. The rest of the participants had to guess the lie. As a result, the participants learned about each other's backgrounds, families and hobbies.

Senior leaders also took time to explain the garrison's mission, values and vision. They emphasized that the garrison is complex as it is comprised of geographically-dispersed communities in Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany. These communities include U.S. Army garrisons, prepositioned stock sites, joint force commands and NATO sites.

"We are all learning this together," said Thomas Joyce, deputy to the garrison commander. "The big thing here is working with different agencies in this community."

Joyce, along with Command Sgt. Maj. Samara Pitre, the senior enlisted advisor to the garrison commander, are also new to the garrison as they both assumed responsibility in late 2017.

The new employees found the class to be helpful, especially individuals from other locations as the Army prepositioned stocks, or APS sites. Justine Brooks, the contracting officer representative at the APS site in Dülmen, Germany, said she got the opportunity to have face time with employees from other locations and office directors.

"Any time, you get more knowledge [about the garrison] is exciting. You meet people, such as the directors, learn about the different parts of the garrison, and how important your part is to our directors," she added.

Joyce also emphasized the importance of employees' roles during his presentation. He discussed IMCOM's Leadership Pledge.

"You heard this phrase 'There is no I in team.' I believe there is an 'I' in team. The 'I' is all of us. We're the individuals. We are all responsible for doing our jobs," he said. "A team is not productive unless there are quality individuals who are trained, enthusiastic and passionate and work together to support the mission."

Joyce concluded his presentation by expressing his appreciation to the employees.

"I'm impressed by the breadth of experience, diversity and inclusion in this room," he said. "Thank you for joining our team. We are here to support you. We are enthusiastic about having you on the team."

Related Links:

U.S. Army Europe

U.S. Army Garrison Benelux

USAG Benelux Facebook

More photos

U.S. Army Installation Management Command