KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany -- Col. Todd Bertulis and Command Sgt. Maj. Stanley Richards accepted the 405th Army Field Support Brigade command team reins from Col. Christopher Roscoe and Command Sgt. Maj. Bryan Kroontje during a change of command and change of responsibility ceremony at the Kaiserslautern Community Activity Center on Daenner Kaserne here Aug. 7.
Maj. Gen. John Wharton, commanding general, U.S. Army Sustainment Command, presided over the ceremony.
"Chris, you have faced many challenges and overcome them all through your steadfast leadership and the dedication, focus and hard work of your magnificent team," Wharton said. "When you took command in July of 2012, you were handed a unit in the midst of a major transformation. You took this organization and shaped it into an effective, responsive and professional logistics unit ensuring Army readiness and bringing materiel management back to the Army."
Roscoe plans to retire later this year after 27 years of service to the Army.
"Chris' leadership and this brigade's talented team provided the Army with the strategic depth and flexibility necessary to be globally responsive and regionally engaged when the nation called," Wharton said.
"Behind every good brigade commander is his trusty command sergeant major," Wharton said. "Bryan, your dedication to duty, your genuine care for the Solders, civilians, and contractors within the 405th, your commitment to living the Army values and ethos make you a role model for all noncommissioned officers who have the opportunity to serve with you."
Kroontje also plans to retire later this year after 33 years of active-duty service.
"Your personal attention and enthusiastic approach vastly improved the quality of life for over 2,000 Soldiers, civilians, host nation employees and contractors," Wharton said.
The outgoing commander and outgoing command sergeant major attributed the success of the brigade to the people who worked under their leadership.
They reflected on the partnership that helped shape what Roscoe referred to as the "benchmark-setting support," which included the permanent change of station surge in 2013, the Directorate of Logistics to Logistics Readiness Center transfer in 2012, the European Activity Set in 2014, and the non-stop continued support from the outlying units that helped the brigade overcome adversity to reach the highest achievements.
"What struck me most about the 405th over the past two years is the resiliency and toughness of the team," Roscoe said. "No sequestration, furlough, overtime bans or hiring freezes could stop the organization from executing every mission brilliantly."
"I have seen our mission change several times, and I have seen us take on missions that others thought were impossible," Kroontje said. "Through everything, the 405th has shown its true colors and has exceeded the standard in everything we have done."
Bertulis, the incoming commander, has served more than 21 years in the Army and now joins the 405th AFSB after attending the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy.
"I am proud and truly honored to be part of such a great organization full of true professionals," Bertulis said. "The reputation of this organization is fantastic and Command Sgt. Maj. Richards and I look forward to working with you in support of our vast array of mission sets throughout Europe and Africa."
Richards, the incoming command sergeant major, joins the 405th from Fort Polk, La., where he served as the command sergeant major for the Operations Group's Sustainment Division, Joint Readiness Training Center.
"Going forward we will continue to be asked to 'maintain the line' and with the great people of the 405th we will excel," Richards said. "My pledge to you is that I will always do everything within my power to facilitate our mission and purpose. Those are only words, I know, and I will have to back them up over time with deeds, and I will."
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