Six U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) employees received the Army’s highest award honoring its civilians — the Decoration for Exceptional Civilian Service — in the Pentagon auditorium on April 15, 2008.

USACE’s Karen J. Baker, Robert W. Burkhardt, Kenneth J. Eisses, Margaret A. Jones, Robert E. Slockbower, and Dr. Michael K. Trimble were among 17 employees Armywide to receive the award from Secretary of the Army Pete Geren. The award recognizes “the accomplishments of the very best of the Army’s most extraordinary workforce and the teams they lead,” said Ronald James, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

“These honorees are inspirational in so many ways, but especially because they have shown the determination to turn knowledge into action to help make the Army community a better place to live and work,” James said. “These recipients are motivated by service to country and by an unstoppable desire to make things work better. To them, ‘pretty good’ is simply ‘not good enough.’ Their sights are set on excellence.”

James and Army Vice Chief of Staff GEN Richard A. Cody joined Geren onstage to present the awards to the recipients as their contributions to the Army were recited.

Karen J. Baker is the Chief of the Plans and Strategy Division for the Strategy and Integration Directorate at USACE headquarters. Baker earned her award at her previous position as the Senior Fellow for Strategic Policy at the Army Environmental Policy Institute, Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Environment, Safety, and Occupational Health, in Arlington, VA. Baker was cited as the primary author and facilitator of the Army’s Strategy for the Environment, “Sustain the Mission — Secure the Future.” With direct personal interaction with senior Army leadership, she was able to incorporate sustainability in the Army’s 2006 Game Plan and 2007 Posture Statement. Her collaboration with the Association of the U.S. Army’s Institute of Land Warfare produced a Torchbearer National Security Report titled Sustaining the Mission, Preserving the Environment, Securing the Future. “It’s quite an honor. I was overwhelmed,” Baker said of receiving her award. “When I think back on the work that I’ve done, there were an awful lot of people who helped me get to where I was and helped me get the job done, so I feel like it’s a team award in a lot of ways.”

Robert W. Burkhardt is the Army Geospatial Information Officer and Director of USACE’s Topographic Engineering Center in Alexandria, VA. Burkhardt provided exemplary direction of research, development, and operation support to deployed forces in the global war on terrorism (GWOT). His work in program oversight, project management, and strategic planning, as well as his guidance of research activities under geospatial research and engineering business areas, provided the Army and Nation with enhanced capabilities across the spectrum of operating environments.

Kenneth J. Eisses, Chief of the Hydraulics and Hydrology Section, Alaska Engineering District, Anchorage, was cited for leading collaborative development for USACE and with other engineering facilities on many projects across Alaska. He led the design and construction of harbors and other coastal projects, making Alaska safer and more productive for countless fishermen, seamen, and residents. He also championed and conducted physical modeling on the Anchorage harbor expansion project in the dynamic Upper Cook Inlet Estuary.

Margaret A. Jones, a project management professional with USACE’s Transatlantic Programs Center, received the award for her exceptional service while serving in the USACE’s Gulf Region Division (GRD) in Baghdad, Iraq, from August 2004 through December 2007. Jones held progressive assignments of increasing responsibility while serving in the GRD, culminating with the position of Deputy Director of Business Management. Her citation reads, “Jones was the pioneer for many programs resulting in increased efficiency for the workforce, as well as significantly contributing to the life support and safety of military, civilian, and contractor personnel.”

Robert E. Slockbower’s resolute commitment to the Army and selfless service to the Nation have had a direct impact on operational capability and quality of life for Soldiers and citizens. As the Southwestern Division’s Director of Regional Business, Slockbower aligned USACE programs to meet Army transformation requirements and outcomes defined in the President’s Management Agenda and directed reconstruction efforts for the Iraqi Reconstruction Management Office. He led two of USACE’s most challenging multibillion dollar missions in support of Military Construction Transformation and Department of Homeland Security projects.

Dr. Michael K. Trimble is the Director, Mandatory Center of Expertise for the Curation and Management of Archeological Collections, and Chief of the Curation and Archives Analysis Branch. Trimble led the team that performed forensic mass-grave exhumations and analyses in Iraq. He presented the evidence collected by his team in testimony against Saddam Hussein, “Chemical Ali,” and others in the Anfal trial. His work demonstrates America’s support to the GWOT by emphasizing our resolve to bring to trial those individuals accused of unthinkable crimes against other human beings.

Deputy Commander for Military and International Operations MG Merdith W.B. Temple represented USACE and the Chief of Engineers at the awards ceremony. He said it was great to participate in the ceremony that recognizes tremendous Department of the Army civilians, “particularly the ones from the USACE. Their accomplishments are a great reflection of the tremendous talent that we have in our regiment and in the USACE.”

Army civilians work in more than 550 different occupations with the highest concentration in logistics, research, development, and base operational functions, according to James. “More than 3,800 Army civilians are deployed to the U.S. Central Command area of operations supporting Soldiers in harm’s way,” he said. “They also support our Nation in a myriad of noncombatant Army missions such as maintaining waterways and flood control, domestic energy response, and scientific research.”

“Today’s award recipients represent the proud tradition of selfless service and dedication to excellence that is the hallmark of our Army,” Geren said. “The contributions of those we recognized today are truly noteworthy. You’ve changed the Army and you changed it for the better. Thank you for your career and service.”

Article courtesty of USACE Public Affairs.