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Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army

MISSION

The Office of the Administrative Assistant (OAA) provides direct administrative and management support to HQDA and enterprise level services to Armywide organizations.

VISION

An innovative, results-oriented organization recognized for customer service and workforce excellence.

MOTTO

Customer Service and Workforce Excellence

OAA HISTORICAL REFERENCES

OAA HISTORY

OAA’s history dates back to the earliest days of the Nation, when the Articles of Confederation written by the Continental Congress in January 1782 provided for a Chief Clerk to the Secretary of War. On 7 August 1789, the Congress created a Department of War and specified that the Secretary of War should appoint a Chief Clerk. Mr. William Knox was the first to hold that position, brother of Henry Knox, who was then serving as the Secretary of War. From the 1790s through the War of 1812, the War Department was primarily an administrative and record-keeping bureau that served as a conduit for the military’s large volume of correspondence and reports. The department’s handful of clerks were charged with keeping military papers in order and expediting departmental business.

When British forces attacked Washington, DC, in 1814, the War Department clerks played a critical role in removing nearly all papers from the Secretary’s offices near the White House and saving captured standards and colors from the American Revolution before the British arrived. The clerks would perform a similar role during the Civil War when, in 1864, they joined other department civilians in manning Washington’s defenses for a time to help protect the city from a Confederate threat. The Chief Clerk was charged with transacting departmental business as assigned by the Secretary of War. If the Secretary was away from Washington, the Chief Clerk could manage affairs and take substantive action based on correspondence from the Secretary. In addition, throughout the first half of the 19th century, the Chief Clerk served as Acting Secretary of War when the cabinet position became vacant. Unlike the Secretary, the Chief Clerk did not necessarily change with the political administrations.

A 22 May 1908 act of Congress changed the Chief Clerk‘s title to “Assistant and Chief Clerk” and more accurately reflected the expansion of responsibilities during the preceding century. The workload of the official who had since been designated the “Assistant and Chief Clerk” increased with the 1917 entry of the United States into World War I. Faced with an unparalleled expansion of the Army via a draft and the related growth of the War Department, Chief Clerk John C. Scofield scrambled to hire additional staff and secure sufficient office space and equipment. In this environment, the main responsibility of the clerks changed from knowing a substantial but relatively limited number of War Department precedents (and where the records containing them were filed) to managing a tidal wave of paper that almost submerged the department in the early stages of the war. Scofield continued in this position after the war, assisting the Secretary with planning activities designed to better prepare the department for future conflicts. At the conclusion of Scofield’s impressive 33-year tenure, the Secretary of War renamed the position as the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of War." By the time the United States entered World War II in 1941, the Administrative Assistant was supervising records management, printing, civilian medical treatment, and procurement and accounting within the Secretariat, along with other activities. In 1946, the Office of the Administrative Assistant (OAA) was established from former Office of the Secretary of War-assigned authorizations.

In July 1947, the National Security Act created the National Military Establishment. The Department of War was re-designated as the Department of Army, changed the Secretary’s title accordingly, and left the titles of other Department officials to the discretion of the Secretary. The Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of War was re-designated as the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army. The incumbent continued to act as the Secretary’s right hand, and OAA’s footprint within the recently constructed Pentagon grew. During subsequent decades, the duties of the Administrative Assistant continued to expand. The Goldwater-Nichols Department of Defense Reorganization Act of 1986 reaffirmed the Administrative Assistant’s title and greatly expanded the associated responsibilities. By 2000, OAA was responsible for administrative management, maintaining official records, and managing the programs that provided service, supply, and equipment for the Department of Defense (DoD) within the National Capital Region (NCR). Critical services included contracting, passports, and motor pool, as well as telephones and computer operations in the Pentagon.

11 September 2001 was an especially dark day for OAA, but the event demonstrated the remarkable resilience of its people. That morning, a plane hijacked by terrorists hit the west side of the Pentagon, ripping through the outer three rings of the building and killing 125 servicemembers and civilians who were working in the building. The Administrative Assistant’s staff sustained 40 of the 75 Army deaths. In one brief moment, the office lost nearly all of its financial experts and computer files, just weeks before the end of the fiscal year. Working around the clock—assisted by volunteer retirees and budget analysts and accountants from other government agencies—OAA finished its end-of-year work on time. The staff also reestablished computer and telecommunications connectivity throughout the building and found workspace to make up for the 400,000 SF destroyed. These extraordinary efforts reestablished normal operations within days and contributed to the reopening of the newly rebuilt sections of the Pentagon on 11 September 2002.

OAA continued to manage resources for the Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA), providing administrative support to the Secretary of the Army and senior Army leaders and overseeing a range of services across DoD, even while receiving other missions. In 2003, for example, OAA was assigned as an Executive Agent to aid in the rebuilding of Iraq. It provided administrative, human resource, logistics, information technology, facilities, acquisition, and fiscal support to the Coalition Provisional Authority offices in Washington and Baghdad. Prior to the 2004 presidential election, Congress called on DoD to ensure every Armed Forces member could vote, and OAA worked with other organizations to ensure that more than 2 million ballots were printed and shipped to military posts, camps, and stations worldwide.

OAA worked with the HQDA BRAC 132 office to implement base realignment and closure recommendations, which resulted in the reduction of 1.28 million SF of leased office space in the NCR. Army tenants were relocated to military installations and the Pentagon. The recommendations reduced the number of leased buildings from 56 to 29, equating to a 35% reduction in leased space. Over 6 years, OAA worked with all affected tenants, HQDA, the Washington Headquarters Services (WHS), the General Services Administration, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and DoD to plan, document, and execute facility renovations and tenant moves affecting more than 3,300 employees. OAA had direct responsibility and oversight in the preparation and fit-out of 12 buildings on Fort Belvoir, VA, for inbound BRAC personnel, including 13 OAA directorates relocating from the Taylor building in Crystal City, VA.

OAA has participated in multiple HQDA reform efforts over the last decade. Three major field operating agencies (ITA/CMH/ESA (AHS)) were transferred in, and then out, of the organization. Additionally, several Pentagon “shared services” were moved from OAA to OSD/WHS, including the Pentagon Motor Pool, Athletic Center, Library, Carpentry Shop, and Mail Room. Despite OAA’s ever-changing mission set, the customer service rendered to the Nation by its team of military and civilian professionals has remained steady for more than 200 years.

LEADERS

ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY Mr. Mark F. Averill

Vacant

DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

FORMER ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

FORMER DEPUTY ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANTS TO THE SECRETARY OF THE ARMY

HEADQUARTERS

Mission The OAA Front Office supports the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army (AASA) and the Deputy Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army (DAASA), provides direct administrative and management support to HQDA, and manages the day-to-day operations of the OAA. Services Waivers for Alcohol Consumption on the Pentagon Reservation and in Leased Facilities in the National Capital Region (NCR): All alcoholic consumption within the Pentagon Reservation and leased space managed by Washington Headquarters Services (WHS) must have prior written authorization. To serve alcohol within Department of the Army (DA) office space, authorization must be obtained from the AASA, whom has been delegated the decision authority by the Secretary of the Army. The consumption of alcoholic beverages in public space, such as corridors, requires the approval of both the AASA and the Director, Defense Facilities Directorate, WHS. Written notice of such authorizations shall be provided to the Pentagon Force Protection Agency. Coin Procurement: Coins are intended for use by Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) principals to provide tangible, honorary recognition to HQDA and other Department of Defense personnel for acts of exceptional service, achievement, or special recognition of a job well done, or for unique contributions towards the accomplishment of the Army’s mission. Coins for this purpose may be procured with the operating accounts of an HQDA agency. Political Transition: Administers political transition within the Department of the Army Secretariat to facilitate effective transition of DA politically appointed civilian leadership between presidential administrations. In Presidential election years the AASA serves as the Army’s Transition Assistance Coordinator, develops the Order of Succession of Officers to Act as Secretary of the Army and coordinates Department of the Army’s direct support to the Head of DoD Transition. The AASA publishes Army-wide leadership updates upon a new administration’s appointment of the eight Army presidentially appointed, Senate-confirmed officials. E-mail: USARMY.pentagon.hqda-oaa.mbx.oaa-communications-poc@army.mil Reviewed: 12 September 2024

Reviewed: 9 July 2024

Mission Manage OAA’s Information Management, Information Technology, Telecommunications, and IT Service Provider Liaison services in support of OAA’s delivery of Products and Services to its HQDA customers. Services Information Technology (IT) Infrastructure Group: · Support the IT Infrastructure (Data Center, Cloud Hosting) · Conduct IT Assets/Property Management · Provide Telecommunications Management (Mobile Devices) · Liaison with IT Service Providers: Joint Service Provider (JSP)/FBVA Regional NEC (RNEC) E-Mail: usarmy.belvoir.hqda-oaa.mbx.itmo-support-team@army.mil Information Management & Engineering Group: · Perform applications engineering Lifecycle Management from Development to Decommissioning · Support SharePoint administrative functions including site enhancements · Conduct Cybersecurity compliance and readiness · Provide application MS Azure Cloud/Web Support · Administer Records Management and Knowledge Management E-Mail: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-oaa.mbx.oaa-application-support-desk@army.mil Reviewed: 3 September 2024

E-Mail:

Reviewed: 12 September 2024

Reviewed: 11 Sept 2024

Reviewed: 12 September 2024

U.S. ARMY HEADQUARTERS SUPPORT AGENCY

Reviewed: 29 August 2024

Reviewed: 9 July 2024

Services

Reviewed: 10 September 2024

Reviewed: 9 July 2024

Reviewed: 9 July 2024

Reviewed: 9 September 2024

ARMY REGULATIONS

ARMY DIRECTIVES

AASA Principal Official Guidance Memorandums

ARMY-WIDE PROGRAMS

HQDA RESOURCES

Current Organization Charts

1850 - 1860

1861 - 1865 The Civil War Years

1871 - 1893

1953 Davies Committee Report, Organization of the Army

1961 Project 80, Study of the Functions, Organization and Procedures of the Department of the Army

1961 Report on the Reorganization of the Department of the Army

1961 Traub Report, The Views of the Army General Staff on Project 80

1962 Project 39a, Department of the Army Report

1962 Reorganization of the Army, Center of Military History Review

1970 Summary of Army Organizational Changes, 1900 - 1962

1971 Parker Board, Special Review Panel on Department of the Army Organization

1976 General Accounting Office Management Headquarters Staffing Data 1950 - 1975

1977 General Accounting Office DoD Headquarters Reductions

1983 General Accounting Office Management Headquarters Staffing Data 1975 - 1982

1986 Defense Reorganization Act (Goldwater-Nichols)

1988 ROBUST, Redistribution of BASOPS Unit Structure TDAs

1998 Redesign of the Institutional Army

Phase I May 1998

Phase II March 1999

2002 Realignment Task Force (RTF)

2005 MIL to CIV Conversion

2009 HQDA Total Army Analysis FY10-15 Implementation Plan for Military Reductions

2010 HQDA Capability Portfolio Review

2010 Implementing Army Efficiencies

2011 Institutional Army Transformation Commission

2012 Army Headquarters Transformation

2014 HQDA Comprehensive Review

2018 Department of the Army Reform Initiative

1950 - 1996

2000 - 2006

OAA RESOURCES

Current Organization Charts

Current Handbook

1816 - 1849

1851 - 1899

1901 - 1949

1950 - 1960

SERVICING POPULATION

The OAA Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Directorate provides EEO services for Headquarters, Department of the Army (HQDA) organizations comprised of the Army Staff, Secretariat, and Field Operating Agencies/Staff Support Agencies.

A listing of HQDA organizations and links to their respective websites is located on the HQDA Onboarding Website.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Office of the Administrative Assistant to the Secretary of the Army

Equal Employment Opportunity Directorate

9301 Chapek Rd, Bldg. 1458

Ft. Belvoir, VA 22060-5527

POLICY

AFFIRMATIVE ACTION PLAN FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

PROGRAMS

It is the policy of the government of the United States to provide equal opportunity in employment for all persons, to prohibit discrimination in employment because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability and to promote the full realization of equal employment opportunity through a continuing affirmative program in each federal agency. No person shall be subject to retaliation for opposing any practice made unlawful by Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Equal Pay Act, or the Rehabilitation Act, or for participating in any stage of administrative or judicial proceedings under these statutes. These statutes are promulgated through Title 29, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 1614. Any employee, former employee, or applicant for employment with HQDA who believes they have been discriminated against, may file a complaint with the OAA Equal Employment Opportunity Directorate. Employees or applicants for employment must initiate the complaint within 45 calendar days of the alleged discriminatory action or event; or within 45 calendar days of becoming aware of the alleged action or event. There are two stages in the EEO complaint process: informal – when the allegation is counseled or mediated; and formal – when the allegation is formally investigated and/or adjudicated. When the aggrieved individual contacts an EEO official about a complaint, that official will thoroughly discuss the stages within the process. OAA EEO Complaints E-mail: usarmy.belvoir.hqda-eeo.mesg.complaints-submission@army.mil

The Army has chosen mediation as the preferred alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method. Mediation is an ADR process that is non-adversarial in nature. It seeks not to declare winners or losers, but to find reconciliation between disputing parties. OAA EEO ADR E-mail: usarmy.belvoir.hqda.mesg-eeo-adr-submission-mbx@army.mil

The OAA EEO Directorate provides annual EEO, Anti-Harassment, and NO FEAR training; reasonable accommodations training; Alternative Dispute Resolution training; and additional equal opportunity training for HQDA employees. Training opportunities are announced through official communication messaging.

Special Observances are scheduled to highlight the contributions, culture, and achievements of special emphasis groups to the nation. The U.S. Army recognizes the following observances: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Birthday Observance - The observance of the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. was established by Public Law 98-144. This national day of service is celebrated on the third Monday in January. Dr. King is celebrated as a champion of nonviolence in America and as a prominent figure in the Civil Rights Movement. African American/Black History Month - The observance of African American / Black History Month was established by Public Law 99-244. This observance runs through the month of February and celebrates the contributions of African Americans to our nation. Women's History Month - The observance recognizing women's contributions was established by Public Law 100-9. This observance runs through the month of March and celebrates the struggles and achievements of women throughout the history of the United States. Days of Remembrance & Holocaust Remembrance Day - The U.S. Congress established Days of Remembrance as the nation's annual commemoration of the Holocaust. Public Law 96-388 established the United States Holocaust Memorial Council and authorizes the actions of the council. Each year the President of the United States also issues a Presidential Proclamation for the observance. The dates for Days of Remembrance and Holocaust Remembrance Day vary each year according to the Hebrew calendar. Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Heritage Month - The observance recognizing Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month was established by Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 102. This observance runs through the month of May and celebrates the service and sacrifices of Asian/Pacific Islanders throughout the United States. Pride Month - Celebrating and recognizing the diversity of both civilian employees and Service members across the Department of Defense (DoD); June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month. It is observed in June to commemorate the riots that occurred in June 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in Manhattan, New York. The event, known as the Stonewall Riots, became the catalyst for the gay rights movement in the United States and around the world to achieve equal justice and opportunities. Juneteenth - The Juneteenth National Independence Day Act passed the Senate by unanimous consent on June 15, 2021, and the House on June 16, 2021, and was signed into law as Public Law 117-17, designating June 19th as a federal holiday. Juneteenth honors the end to slavery in the United States. Most importantly, it represents victory over the institution of slavery and the beginning of the fulfillment of America’s promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness for African Americans. Women's Equality Day - The observance recognizing Women's Equality Day was established by Joint Resolution of Congress in 1971. Women's Equality Day is observed on the 26th day of August and commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote. The observance has grown to include focusing attention on women's continued efforts toward gaining full equality. Hispanic Heritage Month - The observance recognizing National Hispanic Heritage Month was established by Title 36, U.S. Code, Section 126 and Public Law 100-402. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from 15 September - 15 October of each year. The observance is celebrated during this time frame due to many significant events for various Hispanic communities which fall within the observance period. The President issues a Proclamation each year calling on the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe National Hispanic Heritage Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities. National Disability Employment Awareness Month - The observation of National Disability Employment Awareness Month is established by Public Law and Presidential Proclamation. National Disability Employment Awareness Month is observed from 1 - 31 October of each year. The awareness event is observed so that Americans may reaffirm commitment to ensuring equal opportunity for all citizens and so that they may pay tribute to the accomplishments of men and women with disabilities who contributed, continue to contribute, and wish to contribute to making the nation's economy strong. National Native American Heritage Month - The observation of National American Indian Heritage Month has its roots in Public Law 99-471. Over several years the observation was moved to different months but in 1990 Public Law 101-343 set the month-long observance in November. Each year the President issues a Proclamation in recognition of the observance. National American Indian Heritage Month is observed from 1 - 30 November of each year. The observance month recognizes American Indians for their respect for natural resources and the Earth, having served with valor in our nation's conflicts and for their many distinct and important contributions to the United States. Special Emphasis Programs E-mail: usarmy.belvoir.hqda-eeo.mesg.sepm-mbx@mail.mil

Reasonable Accommodation and Personal Assistance Services based on Disability, Religion, and under the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Procedures for providing reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities are located in Appendix C of AR 690-12, Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity. AR 690-12 - Equal Employment Opportunity and Diversity (12 December 2019) OAA EEO Reasonable Accommodations E-mail: usarmy.pentagon.hqda-eeo.mesg.reasonable-accommodations@army.mil