USAG WIESBADEN
HERALD UNION Sept. 19, 2019
herald-union.com
Army Family Housing
Garrison focus: improving “Our Home in Germany” Anna Morelock USAG Wiesbaden Public Affairs
Volker Ramspott/TSAE
U.S. Army Garrison Commander Col. Noah Cloud (right) passes the garrison’s colors to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Truchon, signifying his acceptance of the senior enlisted position at USAG Wiesbaden.
USAG Wiesbaden welcomes new CSM Emily Jennings USAG Wiesbaden Public Affairs
U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden welcomed a new command sergeant major during an assumption of responsibility ceremony Aug. 28 at Clay Kaserne. Garrison Commander Col. Noah Cloud passed the garrison’s colors to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Truchon, signifying his acceptance of the senior enlisted position at USAG Wiesbaden. “Your most important function as a command sergeant major in this garrison is to ensure that our organization is pointed in the right direction and providing the best and most effective infrastructure and services to support our families, our soldiers and our community,” Cloud said. “I have complete confidence that as you get settled and begin engaging on all levels you will become a superb advocate for the needs of our community and help our organization plan, resource and carry out better services
and support to enhance the readiness of the customers we serve.” Truchon enlisted in the Army in 1993 and completed training at the U.S. Army Element School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia. As an Army musician, Truchon has served as an ambassador for the nation and Army in the U.S. and around the world and has deployed in support of soldiers and civilians serving in locations including Bosnia, Hungary, Kuwait and Jordan. He has been stationed in Germany before during two tours with the U.S. Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, where he met his wife, Gwyn, now a retired Army musician. He holds bachelor’s degrees in communications and music as well as a master’s in management information systems. Truchon thanked those in attendance and the garrison team for the warm welcome he and his family received. “I am truly humbled to assume this
BACK TO SCHOOL See photos from the first day and the Back to School Expo. Page 8-9
See ‘CSM’ CSM’ on page 4 CSM
Army Family Housing has been a hot topic for 2019. In February, the Army directed installations to take a look at the effectiveness, quality and responsiveness of privatized housing for its Soldiers and families. While all housing at U.S. Army Garrison Wiesbaden is government-owned, leaders joined in the effort hosting local town halls and conducting safety inspections across the garrison. “Refining our housing processes has been a priority of mine since I took command last year,” said Garrison Commander Col. Noah
Cloud.“This year we’ve been able to make a lot of changes and learned from the community about what is working and where we can still improve.” Here’s a look at some of the housing efforts and accomplishments of the past year:
Health and safety repairs
Commanders across the installation completed almost 2,000 health and safety inspections in February and March in on-post family housing, barracks and senior enlisted and officer quarters. Any safety and health issues were immediately identified for Directorate
See ‘Housing’ on page 11
Women’s Equality Day
Lena Stange/USAG Wiesbaden Public Affairs
Then-acting Garrison Command Sergeant Major 1st Sgt. Lori Soto and Sgt. 1st Class Brett Hartley walk together with community members to the Women’s Equality Observance in the fitness center Aug. 26. See story on Page 2.
TRICK OR TREAT Compete for best costume, get bowling discounts, run like a zombie, fill up on candy and brave a haunted house. Page 13
RETIREE APPRECIATION DAY Get health checks and benefit updates. Page 3