GRAFENWOEHR, Germany (July 21, 2014) -- Brigadier General Christopher G. Cavoli accepted the transfer of command of the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command from Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt during a change of command ceremony on the parade field of Tower Barracks, July 21.
Keeping with tradition, the generals, including Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell, Jr., commander of U.S. Army Europe headquartered in Wiesbaden, Germany, stood before the troops and passed the colors, which marks the changing of command.
This day, Cavoli stood before the troops of JMTC and accepted his new role with gratitude.
"General Campbell, thank you sir for this opportunity, and for the trust you are placing in me; we won't let you down. To the band, and to the soldiers of the battery, your music is wonderful, thank you. To the Soldiers, the men and women of JMTC, you look splendid. Your fine work and the reputation it has produced precede you. And to our Allies and partners -- our comrades in arms -- I look forward to building our future together," Cavoli said.
Cavoli spoke of a future continuing Campbell's vision that Piatt said the people of the JMTC worked hard to achieve.
Speaking to Campbell, Piatt said, "This is your training command and we took great pride in making your vision become reality. But it was not me--it was the many Soldiers, Civilians and Family members that make up JMTC and the community that supports us. Many of them on the field and under the canopies today--others are employed throughout the theater and working to support first class training."
Campbell's appreciation for Piatt's hard work and leadership was recognized after the ceremony. As a major general, Piatt is leaving to be the deputy commander of U.S. Army Europe in Wiesbaden, Germany. He was honored with a shell casing from the 13-gun salute after the change of command. The 13-gun salute honored the newest major general in the United States Army.
Although a change in command, Campbell's vision is still present. Cavoli has a strong background and will build upon the experience of his career, which started with his commissioning into the infantry from the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 1987. He has served in a wide variety of positions in operational units throughout the United States, Europe and Asia which include commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, and 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division; deputy commander of Regional Command West in Herat, Afghanistan; and most recently as the deputy commanding general for operations at the 82nd Airborne.
The new commander of the 7th Army JTMC has extensive staff experience, which includes service as the director for Russia on the joint staff, and as a fellow at National Defense University, the George C. Marshall Center for European Security Studies, and the Army Chief of Staff's Strategic Studies Group.
Adding to his qualifications, Cavoli is a foreign area officer with a concentration on Eurasia, and speaks Italian, Russian and French. He holds degrees from Princeton University and Yale University. His awards include the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Ranger Tab, and Master Parachutist's wings.
Cavoli is married to the former Christina Dacey of Fairfax, Virginia, and they have two teenage sons, Alex and Nick.
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