FORT BELVOIR, Va. (June 26, 2015) -- Col. John "Chris" Brookie assumed command of the Army Petroleum Center in a ceremony here June 26. The Army Petroleum Center operates under the Army Materiel Command, serving as the control point for the Department of Defense's bulk petroleum.
Army Materiel Command Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations and Logistics Maj. Gen. Clark LeMasters, Jr., presided over the ceremony.
LeMasters said the incoming commander brings a wealth of knowledge and skills to the assignment and is the right person for the job.
"You understand APC's critical programs keep us straight and moving in the right direction in operational energy, product quality, requirements, facilities capital investments, technical assistance and improvements in our automated systems," LeMasters said to the new commander during the ceremony.
Brookie previously served as the senior mission commander of Mihail Kogalniceanu Air Base in Romania before attending the National Defense University's Eisenhower School.
Brookie will oversee the command as it continues to support the Army's strategic, tactical and base operation capabilities to sustain weapon systems along with Soldier and unit readiness. The Center validates bulk petroleum requirements and provides technical support, quality surveillance and fixed-fuel facility engineering support.
"I am sincerely honored to have the opportunity to command and lead, but most importantly to serve with the great employees of the Army Petroleum Center as they support our Army's bulk petroleum requirements," Brookie said.
The Army Petroleum Center's lineage traces back to 1944, with a continuous mission that has supported conflicts and contingencies since World War II.
"The Army Petroleum Center is a very unique organization within the Army that touches every part of the petroleum supply chain from the tactical, operational, strategic, industrial base, to training and acquisition," Brookie said. "The APC is a one of a kind unit that provides support and makes a difference everyday across a broad spectrum of the petroleum community. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to serve with this group of petroleum professionals. This date is not about my assumption of command, but more about a chance to shine a light on the Army's most important liquid logistics units."
The South Carolina native enlisted in the Army in 1985 as a CH-47 helicopter crew chief and mechanic. He achieved the rank of sergeant during his enlisted service, and earned his commission in the Quartermaster Corps through the Army's Green to Gold program in 1992.
Brookie served in Haiti as the deputy for joint civil affairs operations. He was team commander for search and recovery support in Laos and Vietnam and has also served in Bosnia, Iraq and Japan. His petroleum background includes roles as supply company commander for the Third Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Georgia; petroleum battalion operations officer and executive officer in Fort Lee, Virginia; petroleum group support operations officer Iraq; and commander of Defense Logistics Agency Energy in Korea. His awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Army Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Achievement Medal and Army Achievement Medal. Other awards and decorations include the aircraft crewmember, airborne and parachute rigger badges. His foreign awards are the Korean parachute badge and the Romanian Air.
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