New deputy commander on duty

By Rob Schuette, Triad Staff

      A new installation deputy commander has begun his tour of duty at Fort McCoy.

 Lt. Col. David L. Jessop assumed his new duties in June. Immediately prior to coming to the Command Group, he served for about a year at the 84th U.S. Army Reserve Readiness Training Command (84th USARRTC) at Fort McCoy, with his last position being the operations officer of the Leadership Development Directorate.

Jessop

      Jessop, who has 20 years of military service including 18 years on active duty, joined the Army Reserve in 1998.

      Jessop said he hopes to use his wide array of experience, which includes tours in a recruiting command and as an inspector general, to help accomplish his job.

       The experience has taught him to resolve issues as quickly as possible after they occur because if they're not resolved they will accumulate, he said.

       One of the biggest assets he said he brings to the installation deputy commander position is his service with a tenant organization at Fort McCoy.

       "I've seen how we do business from a tenant's perspective, and now I'm seeing how we do business from a garrison perspective," Jessop said. "When I first got here I had the impression that it was a slow-paced installation. With nearly 40 tenant units, I was utterly amazed by the all the activities we do here. It's the exact opposite of my first thoughts, and I'm learning something new each day. For a smaller Army installation, Fort McCoy's garrison support is phenomenal," he said. "The installation work force is flexible and professional and provides support to any type of training."

      "I don't think you can get that type of support anywhere else in the Army but at Fort McCoy to tell the truth," he said.

      Fort McCoy is accomplishing its goal to be a Total Force Installation, which can provide training opportunities to Army, Air Force, Marines, and Navy personnel, he said.

       During his tour, Jessop said he will work to improve cross communications with various organizations on post so they understand the needs and opportunities to support the training population, which includes mobilization.

      "I once heard someone define the difference between a manager and a  leader: a manager maintains the status quo but leaders implement changes," he said. "I look forward to having the opportunity to change things for the better."

      Jessop has helped change things for the better for deployed troops through a suggestion he submitted to the Army Suggestion Program.

      He was recognized by the Secretary of the Army as the 1994 Army Suggestor of the Year for proposing the use of thermal battle boards (Combat Identification Panels) for vehicle combat identification.

      Jessop can be reached by calling (608) 388-3405.