Holland says goodbye to one 'first' and hello to next

By Staff Sgt. Kelly Simon, 10th Mountain Division JournalistJanuary 7, 2016

Brig. Gen. Diana Holland
Brig. Gen. Diana Holland, outgoing 10th Mountain Division (LI) deputy commanding general -- support, accepts the Legion of Merit from Brig. Gen. Paul Bontrager, left, acting senior commander, as Command Sgt. Maj. Mark Belda, acting senior enlisted ad... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- A span of eight months may not seem like much when looking over a 25-year career, but during her award ceremony Dec. 18 at Fort Drum, Brig. Gen. Diana Holland said the past eight months with the 10th Mountain Division (LI) have made her a better officer.

Holland and her husband Jim stood among well-wishers in Hays Hall as she received the Legion of Merit for her service with 10th Mountain Division. From Fort Drum, they would head southeast to the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where Holland became the first female commandant of cadets on Tuesday.

Holland's biography is no secret, especially given her recent success with the 10th Mountain Division, where she was named the first female deputy commanding general of a light infantry division, serving in that position in Afghanistan as well as in garrison. Recent features in People magazine, Army Times and CBS online gave acting senior commander Brig. Gen. Paul Bontrager an opening for some light ribbing during Holland's award presentation.

"I was talking to (Maj.) Gen. (Jeffrey) Bannister, (10th Mountain Division commander), yesterday and he was giving me some thoughts on the whole ceremony today," Bontrager said with a mischievous smile.

"I've got to tell you, it was more on the lines of 'don't let TMZ in the building,'" he continued over the roar of laughter from those assembled.

Bontrager called Holland a rock star, highlighting not only her recent appearance in the national news, but also because of her impressive career and bright future. He said he couldn't picture a better leader for the cadets at West Point, or a better couple.

"Diana, from the bottom of my heart and on behalf of 10th Mountain, thank you for what you've done for this community, and we'll relish watching you as you continue to move on through the ranks," Bontrager concluded before commanding the award order to be published.

After receiving her second Legion of Merit, Holland looked around the room at those who gathered to see her off to the next "first" of her career.

She asked everyone to sit, assuring them it wasn't because she planned to speak at length, but because "you're all making me nervous."

As the laughter died down, Holland recounted her time with the 10th Mountain Division, the challenges she faced, milestones she achieved, and how this assignment has prepared her for the next. None of this would have been possible without one special person in the room.

"I want to publicly thank my husband, who is nothing less than a saint," Holland said, her eyes finding her husband standing in a corner. "I could not enjoy the opportunities that the Army has offered me if it wasn't for him, so I just want to thank him. I love you, hon," she said with a smile, turning back to the crowd.

"I love you too," he softly replied, looking at his wife with shared love and respect.

This powerhouse team has moved three times in the past 18 months, and if Holland's recent string of "firsts" is any indication, there will be plenty more in the future.

Holland couldn't name a favorite "first," saying all of her experiences have been her favorite. As she continues on to West Point as the first female commandant of cadets, there could be more firsts in her future. Right now, she's focused on what is in front of her.

"I'm going to take it one day at a time, and whatever the Army decides I'm going to do, then I will move out and execute," Holland said, as she and her husband turned and headed out of 10th Mountain Division Headquarters one last time.