Colonel Steve Joyce concluded his final meeting
at the helm of the Georgia Department of Defense Human Relations
Team (HRT) at Callaway Gardens, April 26-27 by finalizing
elements of the HRT’s Strategic Plan. Joyce, who serves as J-1
(Director of Personnel and Administration), has directed the HRT
for the past two years. He passes the reins of the team to Lt.
Col. Jay Peno, Human Resources Officer for Georgia.
Highlighting the two day quarterly conference
was a presentation by Brig. Gen. Maria Britt who carefully
detailed the current demographics of the Georgia Army Guard. She
applauded the continuing high recruiting figures enjoyed by the
Army Guard noting that Georgia is among the leaders in the
nation.
Britt, however, did acknowledge a continuing
challenge in the recruitment of Army officers and suggested that
the team consider new and innovative ways to remedy the
shortfall.
The general also took the opportunity to recall
her rise through the ranks of the military and the Guard. Britt
sees today’s military as more comfortable with diversity than
when she began her career as a cadet at West Point.
During the two-day meeting, team members focused
on continued development of an HRT Strategic Plan. Ultimately,
the HRT plan will be incorporated into the overall strategic
priorities of the Human Resources Officer and the GA DoD Joint
Strategic Plan.
Peno, a founding member of the GA DOD HRT, has
guided much of its development over the years. "The Guard must
stay abreast of the dynamic human resource environment in
today’s workplace," says Peno.
Suggesting that the term "human relations" is
becoming dated, and perhaps too narrow for the current direction
of the team,. Peno said he may seek to change the team’s name to
‘Human Capital Team,’ a much broader and more inclusive term.
Peno said that the change should provide the
team with the talent to address and advance programs that will
benefits Soldiers and Airmen.
The HRT team structure may also change in the
future, said Peno, to one comprised mainly of HR trained
personnel who have direct human resources backgrounds.
The team is currently comprised of personnel
from various divisions and occupations.
