Morrison takes command of NETCOM

By Mr. Gordon Van Vleet (NETCOM)April 21, 2014

Assumption of NETCOM
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The four generals participating in the assumption of command salute during the rendering of honors at the start of the ceremony. From left to right: Lt. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, Army Chief Information Officer/G-6; Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, Army Cybe... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Assumption of NETCOM
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Assumption of NETCOM
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Peter A. Gallagher, outgoing NETCOM Commanding General, receives the NETCOM flag from the command's command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Earl B. Allen, during the ceremony. Looking on are Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, Army Cyber Command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Assumption of NETCOM
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Assumption of NETCOM
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr., incoming NETCOM Commanding General, passes the NETCOM flag to the command's command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Earl B. Allen, during the ceremony while Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon (far left), Army Cyber Command/2... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. (April 2, 2014) -- The U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command held an Assumption of Command Ceremony in the Greely Hall Auditorium, April 2.

Brig. Gen. Peter A. Gallagher relinquished command of NETCOM to incoming commanding general, Brig. Gen. John B. Morrison Jr. Morrison is coming to Fort Huachuca from his previous position as commanding general for 7th Signal Command (Theater), Fort Gordon, Ga.

Gallagher had been in command since August 2013. He was recently chosen to become the director, J-6, U.S. Central Command, at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

Officiating at the ceremony were two senior commanders in charge of Army's cyber operations. Army Chief Information Officer/G-6, Lt. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, and Army Cyber Command/2d U.S. Army commanding general, Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, both spoke and participated in the ceremony.

After the ceremonial passing of the command flag from the previous commander, Gallagher, to the new commander, Morrison, all four generals participating spoke before the crowd of more than 300 Soldiers, civilians, family and guests.

"I want to thank you, the entire NETCOM team, upfront, for all you are doing and continue to do for our Army," said Ferrell as he began his remarks. "Leaders across the Army see and support the incredible work you all are doing here and across the globe providing unprecedented comms for over 12 years of war while transforming the network to provide more capability and reliability to the warfighter.

"Over the past two years, Brig. Gen. Pete Gallagher has done a phenomenal job leading NETCOM, both as the deputy commanding general and the commanding general," said Ferrell. "Along with Command Sgt. Major (Earl) Allen and the entire NETCOM team, Pete executed a multi-faceted mission while leading transformation change, remaining clearly focused on executing Army CIO/G-6 priorities."

Cardon spoke of change during his remarks.

"As we gather here in Greely Hall, we are reminded of the inevitability of change and the importance of adaptation," Cardon said. "This Hall's namesake, General Adolphus Greely, knew all about leading transformation change.

"Then, as now, we live in transformational times. Over the last 15 to 20 years, information systems transformed our lives far beyond just enabling military operations, to the creation of a new domain, cyber," said Cardon. "Throughout history, throughout all the change that is inevitable, there is one essential constant, the people. The great Soldiers and Civilians of NETCOM are the most essential element of the command."

Gallagher opened his remarks with thanks to all in attendance and special thanks to the command teams and Army band for their presence, and then welcomed Morrison and his wife to the command.

"Donna and I are extremely proud to welcome John and Ann Morrison. There is no better command team to lead NETCOM to embrace the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead. They are the right leadership team at the right time for NETCOM."

In closing the ceremony, Morrison spoke about the people in NETCOM as he pointed out the leaders of the command's many diverse organizations.

"To my right, stand the very best network operators and defenders in our Army," Morrison said. "They represent the almost 16,000 troopers, civilians, and contractors who operate and defend your Army's networks each and every day.

"Over the past several months, we have heard much about the challenges facing our Army, from downsizing to fiscal uncertainty," Morrison continued. "In our own command and in the cyber domain, in general, we are in a period of change. While our nation and our Army do face challenges, I also believe we are entering a period of unprecedented opportunity. My initial guidance is simple. Embrace change, lead change, drive change. Let's go first."

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