Fort Rucker proves it is 'above the best'

There's a new flag waving on the flagpole at Fort Rucker's United States Army Aviation Center of Excellence (USAACE) Headquarters Building — the Installation Excellence award flag.

Fort Rucker has once again proved it is a center of excellence and one of the best military installations when it recently received the 2013 Commander in Chief's (CINC) Award for Installation Excellence and the 2013 Chief of Staff Army Communities of Excellence (ACOE) Gold Award.

The CINC Award for Installation Excellence is the highest award given to a military post. It is awarded to the installations that efficiently meet the Department of Defense’s standards and continuously shows improvement and progress toward an installation's success.

The ACOE Gold Award recognizes the highest level of excellence in installation management, facilities and services in support of soldiers, their families and communities.

Fort Rucker is a first-time recipient of both awards.

The post previously earned ACOE Chief of Staff, Army Finalist in 2000, 2001 and 2002, and ACOE Army Exemplary Practice in 2010 and 2011.

To celebrate its success, Fort Rucker invited the entire community to a celebration Nov. 14 at the Post Theater to recognize the individuals, teams, departments, organizations and surrounding communities who were fundamental in helping the post earn the two awards.

"This award is won by a team of teams," Davis Tindoll, Installation Management Command Atlantic Region Director and host of the event, said. "It's not done by one year increments, even though the award is given in one year increments, you build excellence over a period of time, and it has taken years of continued excellence that has allowed Fort Rucker to achieve what they have achieved."

Tindoll said people working in every element of the post are a part of the achievement.

"Everybody past and present, whether you live in the community, whether you're working in one of the many organizations on the installation — the clinic, the commissary, the individuals over in the gymnasium right now that's handing out towels, or somebody who is over in the Soldier Services Center issuing ID cards to one of our family members — all of those little measures of excellence culminates in what this is all about," he said.

During the ceremony, local mayors, hundreds of employees and several teams were recognized and honored with secretary of defense special recognition certificates for their efforts.

Those teams included: the installation support directorates, installation and area support offices, mission support, innovative communications, installation protection, real property asset management and stewardship, energy modernization, environmental and sustainability, quality of life, unit morale, health and wellness, community relations, competitive activities and ACOE integration.

Maj. Gen. Kevin Mangum, USAACE and Fort Rucker commanding general, said the awards are truly a team effort and thanked everyone for their hard work, determination and dedication to the soldiers and their families.

"Everybody that made it happen, whether you work here, live here, are a family member here or live in the surrounding community, it takes everybody to make it happen," he said. "I certainly want to thank our neighbors to the southwest and east for embracing us and the support you give us every day. We certainly couldn't do this (without you) and I wouldn't be accepting this award on behalf of Fort Rucker if it wasn't for your help, your support and your advocacy."

Tindoll said the two awards speak volumes about the post and reminded everyone that the Installation Excellence award flag hangs in their honor.

"Every time you come on post and you’ve got a relative, somebody with you or somebody new that you’re taking on post for the first time, show them that flag. It signifies you are the best," he said.