FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (Aug. 6, 2015) -- The U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood's commanding general received his second star at a ceremony Thursday on the MSCoE Plaza.
Maj. Gen. Kent Savre became the seventh major general of 22 general officers of the Engineer Branch.
"It is rare to promote anyone to general officer, but I am going to have the great honor, for a second time, to promote Kent (Savre) to general officer -- this time at the two-star level," said Lt. Gen. Thomas Bostick who presided over the ceremony and spoke before the promotion pinning.
Bostick is the 53rd U.S. Army Chief of Engineers and commanding general of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
"Kent is the guy who understands teamwork and brings very diverse teams together," Bostick said. "He is concerned about the success of every member of that team and every organization of that team and will carry them to new heights."
Savre credited past teammates for his progression through the ranks.
"I certainly wouldn't be standing here today if not for the thousands of teammates I have served with through the years," he said. "I have been very blessed with so many amazing leaders above me, who mentored and guided me, and provided example and inspiration."
"The Army is the strength of our nation; Soldiers are the strength of our Army, and Families are the strength of our Soldiers," according to Savre.
"All of us who serve make sacrifices and invest a significant amount of time and energy toward our profession definitely couldn't do it without the love and support of our Families," Savre said.
He said his wife is "an unbelievable Army spouse, mother, teacher and friend who has given her heart and soul to our Soldiers and Families."
Savre then recognized the sacrifices and support of his immediate Family and children.
"For the younger service members who wonder if you can balance a military career with raising great children, I can guarantee you absolutely can," he said.
Bostick also heaped praise on the Savre Family.
"This is a Family that focuses, not only on the entire military team, but on the Family team," Bostick said. "We're promoting Kent Savre today, but it wouldn't happen without the love and support of this close Family who have been willing to sacrifice a lot over the years."
Bostick put Savre's rise to major general in context, telling the audience that, normally, the promotion board for one-star selection has approximately 2,300 candidates. He said the board normally picks 40. Of those who make the one-star rank, less than 50 percent ever get selected to receive their second star.
"I know he is the right leader to come here at the right time. He is a person who understands teamwork. I know that he will work very well with the community here," Bostick added. "I know he will work well with the chemical and military police team and all the others here from any service, to include the civilians, to make sure this community is the best community in all of the Army."
Savre referred to MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood and all the partners, service members, civilians, Families and communities as a team.
He said that wherever one travels around the world, there are commanders executing missions critical to our national security who were trained and developed in the heart of America by the team at Fort Leonard Wood.
"I realize how lucky I am to be on the team that makes a difference . . . to serve on the greatest team on earth -- an amazing team of teams -- defending the Constitution and chasing a goal of sustaining the American ideal of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," Savre said.
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