Deseret to welcome new commander

By Alaine GrieserJuly 17, 2008

DEPOT TO WELCOME NEW COMMANDER

IN CHANGE OF COMMAND CEREMONY

DESERET CHEMICAL DEPOT, STOCKTON, Utah -- Col. Gerald L. Gladney will assume command of Deseret Chemical Depot from Col. Frederick D. Pellissier, in a formal military ceremony Tuesday, July 22.

Conrad Whyne, director of the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, will preside over the time-honored traditional ceremony where the outgoing commander will pass the unit colors to the incoming commander.

Col. Pellissier has been re-assigned as the plans officer, U.S. Central Command Headquarters, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Col. Gladney will oversee the upkeep, monitoring and destruction of the remaining stockpile of chemical agent-filled munitions stored at the depot.

Col.Gladney is a native of Blair, South Carolina. He graduated from South Carolina State University where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in biology and chemistry and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the United States Army Chemical Corps in 1985. He also holds master's degrees from Central Michigan University and the United States Army War College.

Col. Gladney is married to the former Deidre Tucker. They have a son, Brent, who attends the University of Maryland, College Park.