Rogers enjoys role with IMCOM; National Capital Region-District

Brig. Gen. Dennis E. Rogers is already dual-hatted as director of both Public Works and Facilities and Emergency Services for Installation Management Command. Earlier this month, he added yet another title to his resume.

Rogers became district director for the National Capital Region-District, which includes Forts Belvoir, Myer and McNair, Fort Meade and the Joint Personnel Property Shipping Office, Washington area, which transports household goods for all the branches of the military.

According to Rogers, the intent was to bring these installations together under one umbrella and focus exclusively on missions within the national capital area.
Some of those missions include supporting the National Security Agency, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, the Defense Logistics Agency, Arlington National Cemetery, the Pentagon and the White House. Because the challenges facing the above installations are similar to one another, Rogers said the Army can better address unique issues through a smaller district office.

A veteran of the Army since 1980, Rogers began his career as a cavalry officer at Fort Stewart, Ga. Various assignments have taken him all over the world, including two tours within the last five years in Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom - with the last coming in 2004 as deputy chief of staff, Multi-National Corps-Iraq.

Rogers admits it's always exciting for him to travel to the different installations in the Capital region because it's the best way of understanding what's being done for U.S. servicemembers.

"For me, I make a point of looking at our MWR programs and the condition of our barracks. I also examine our central services and how to maintain the highest standards of emergency response and public safety," Rogers said. "Just like our garrison commanders, I'm concerned with the quality of life for our Soldiers. That's a top priority of mine and something I take seriously."

While looking at ways to make life better for Soldiers in the area, which range from maintenance needs to adding a fire truck or ambulance on post, Rogers said it's a learning process for him, too.

While in Iraq, he remembers establishing a PX facility at what was once a bombed-out shell of a building. In his opinion, that accomplishment is comparable to the efforts of those across this area and others just like it.

"A personal highlight for me is being able to visit various organizations and witness their contributions firsthand. It's also an opportunity to see how they work from the bottom up," Rogers said. "We have so many incredible people living and working in this district. What they do is just as significant to our quality of life as
anything else."