FORT RUCKER, Ala. (July 17, 2015) -- Hundreds crowded the U.S. Army Aviation Museum as Fort Rucker welcomed its new garrison commander while bidding farewell to one who leaves big shoes to fill.
Col. Shannon T. Miller assumed command from Col. Stuart J. McRae during a ceremony July 10 as the garrison colors passed from one commander to the next.
Davis D. Tindoll Jr., Installation Management Command Atlantic Region director, presided over the ceremony and expressed his appreciation for McRae's leadership over the past three years, as well as welcoming Miller to the command team.
"Shannon, please accept my personal welcome to this United States Army garrison, and also to the Atlantic Region team," he said during the ceremony. "I'm confident that with your demonstrated leadership you will build on the successes of your predecessors. The challenges are many, but I'm (certain) that you'll bring new energy and excellence to the garrison command and this Army Community of Excellence."
Maj. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general, said he believes the Army has put their confidence in the right individual.
"I think we've got the right garrison commander coming in to fill (McRae's) shoes and I want to welcome Shannon to the team," he said. "Although you've got some big shoes to fill, I'm absolutely confident that you're going to continue to take our garrison to the next level."
Miller said she stands ready to take on the challenges ahead.
"I'm extremely humbled and honored to return back to the home of Army Aviation, and also to be a part of the Atlantic Region," said Miller. "I can also say that after 23 years of service, never have I felt such an overwhelming sense of (homecoming) than when I returned back here to Fort Rucker a few days ago."
That sense of welcome was brought on by the people of the installation, as well as McRae, who said he has full confidence in Miller's leadership.
"I know you'll be successful with this team of teams behind you -- there's no way that you can fail," he said to the incoming commander. "If I had to describe the two main things that kept our rollercoaster of a garrison on the tracks, it would be the quality of the service and the competency of our workforce. I wish you all the best in your command and I look forward to seeing more great things from Fort Rucker under your leadership."
It's that quality of service and dedication from the people on Fort Rucker that kept the installation running smoothly, a task that Tindoll said wasn't easy, especially in such challenging times.
"Over the last three years, Stu has lived up to those expectations and then some," said the Atlantic Region director. "A consummate professional, leading and coordinating the efforts of the garrison, Stu excelled during a time of significant challenges. He postured the garrison for continued success, setting a standard … capable of accomplishing its mission today and in the future. You've made a lasting impression on this community of excellence."
Miller said she will do her best to meet the challenges ahead.
"To the Fort Rucker community, you have my word that I'm committed to ensuring that all Soldiers, families, civilians and our community are taken care of, and that we'll accomplish the mission with professionalism and perseverance every day. I look forward to this journey with team Fort Rucker," she said.
Having started her military career in 1992 as a chemical officer and distinguished military graduate from Columbus State University, she transitioned to Army Aviation in 1994. Miller returns to Fort Rucker with a wealth of leadership experience, having served across the world ranging from squadron S1 with the 1st Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment in Korea, and battalion S4 and company commander with the 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment in Hawaii, to operations officer for the Federal Emergency Management Agency under U.S. Army North and the regimental tactical officer for the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York.
She's served in multiple combat deployments in Iraq and Afghanistan, and recently graduated from the National War College with a master of science in national security strategy.
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