Perspectives

For those who are not fully cognizant of garrison functions, my directorate acronym, DPTMS, is sometimes the first stumbling block in understanding what we do and when you should interact with us — the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security. In more common military terms, I am the installation commander’s G-3, his ops officer, with tasking authority on his behalf. Installation Commander Col. Brian Lauritzen simply explains it as the director of public works owns the land, and I own what goes on upon it.

At first thought, that is an ominous responsibility, as Fort Belvoir is a complex installation. But that ownership translates to DPTMS’s requirement to have constant situational awareness — who is here, why they are here and what they are doing. DPTMS’ oversight includes installation operations; force protection; anti-terrorism; operations security; training and training facility management; emergency management planning; mobilization the chemical biological radiological, nuclear and high-yield explosives program management and information, personnel and industrial security. My experts in these fields evaluate the information at hand to ensure proper use of facilities, deconfliction of events, required authorizations are in place, our force protection posture is maintained and the affected garrison staff activities are engaged. We are the integrator of the installation’s plans, programs and operations.

DPTMS is your official entry point to the installation staff. Requests for use of installation facilities or land for training events, meetings or conferences or support from garrison activities, are to be addressed to the DPTMS. This is applicable to all installation activities as well as off-post requesters such as other government agencies (FBI, State Department, etc.), local law enforcement, private organizations and personnel must vet requested activity for conflicts prior to other staff directorates taking action to support it. The exception to this is the private and/or recreational activities you contract for with the Directorate of Morale, Welfare and Recreation, who keeps DPTMS informed of major private events within their facilities. Requests may be sent to belvoir.central.tasking.office@belvoir.army.mil or mailed to DPTMS, ATTN: IMNE-BEL-OPP, 9820 Flagler Road, Suite G1, Fort Belvoir, VA 22060; phone (703) 805-4002 for more information.

DPTMS also operates the Installation Operations Center. The IOC is responsible for obtaining, tracking and disseminating information and notification of incidents. An incident is an actual or alleged occurrence, accident, misconduct, adverse action or condition involving the Fort Belvoir community. The IOC keeps the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and Headquarters Installation Management Command-Northeast Region informed of the installation status. It is the single point of coordination for execution of plans and garrison response to contingencies. We are the communication conduit and coordinating agency for response to or request for forces. All actions of the IOC are on behalf of or by order of the installation commander. We have made a concerted effort over the last few months to ensure the IOC has established and exercised contact with other operations centers on post. We are charged with ensuring installation senior leaders are informed of installation status and vice versa from their venue.

The IOC is currently staffed Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Our phone number is (703) 805-4002. After work hours and weekends, the staff duty officer, the conduit to my staff for contingency situations, can be reached at (703) 304-7258.
It is my intent to support all installation organizations via a sound operational foundation.

If you have any questions regarding DPTMS functions, please call me at (703) 805-3559.