New IG increases capability of SDDC Operations Center.

It's only a five-minute drive from the 7th Transportation Group to the SDDC Operations Center at Fort Eustis.

But, when Sgt. Maj. McKenley Scullark transferred from the group to the top IG position at SDDC Operations Center, it was a giant leap.

Instead of being responsible for running the 7th Group Operations Center of 45 Soldiers, Scullark is now responsible for all of the assistance, inspections and investigations associated with the 350 military and civilian workers at the SDDC Operations Center.

The call to service at SDDC came from an unexpected phone call.

"It was great to get the call," said Scullark. "I realized this would be an opportunity to help both military and civilians."

Scullark started work March 1.

As a mission statement, it is Scullark's job to "access and report on the discipline, efficiency, economy, morale, training and readiness throughout the command."

"He will help identify and determine resolutions to systemic issues in order to help our people and their family members," said Lt. Col. Louis Plevell, SDDC's Inspector General. "This work will additionally provide first-class support to warfighters and our other customers."

Scullark got his first Inspector General case moments after he graduated from the three-week Inspector General School course at Fort Belvoir, Va.

"I congratulated him and then handed him his first case," said Plevell.

Scullark said the early start of his caseload was no surprise.

"It is the nature of the beast," said Scullark.

The office door will always be open, he said, for advice, inquiry--or just a good listener.

Scullark is located in room 108, in the vicinity of the G-3 (Operations) office.

A 26-year Army veteran, Scullark began his military career as a motor transportation specialist in 1977 after graduating from advance individual training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Later, Scullark served in Germany, Korea, Hawaii and Kuwait.

As Operations Sergeant Major, Scullark had a key role in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He helped manage 7th Group transportation assets used to support the mobilization of both active and Reserve Army units.

Eventually, 4,000 Soldiers from the 7th Group at Fort Eustis and nearby Fort Story went to Kuwait and Iraq. At the beginning, Soldiers from 7th Group ran all the ports in the theater.

"Our effort was great because we did it in a short time," said Scullark, who served in the desert for six months.

As training is a key Inspector General mission, Scullark plans to use his recent experience in contingency operations work in his mission at SDDC.

"I know how to take care of Soldiers," said Scullark.