New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center

By Staff Sgt. David OversonJuly 10, 2018

New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Colors are presented at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center's change of command ceremony at the Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, July 10, 2018. The change of command ceremony is a tradition that represents a formal transfer of author... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Beth Hilbert, Joint Multinational Readiness Center's incoming commander's wife, receives a bouquet of flowers as a welcome gift at JMRC's change of command ceremony at the Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, July 10, 2018. The change of comm... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Senior members of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center prepare to pass the guidon representing JMRC from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander at JMRC's change of command ceremony at the Hohenfels Training Area, Hohenfels, Germany, Jul... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Curtis A. Buzzard, outgoing commander of the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, passes the guidon representing JMRC to 7th Army Training Command's commander, Brig. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, at JMRC's change of command ceremony at the Hohenf... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, 7th Army Training Command's commander, passes the guidon representing the Joint Multinational Readiness Center to the incoming commander, Col. Joseph E. Hilbert, at JMRC's change of command ceremony at the Hohenfels ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
New commander takes lead at the Joint Multinational Readiness Center
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, 7th Army Training Command's commander, passes the guidon representing the Joint Multinational Readiness Center to the incoming commander, Col. Joseph E. Hilbert, at JMRC's change of command ceremony at the Hohenfels ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

HOHENFELS, Germany -- The Joint Multinational Readiness Center said goodbye to its outgoing commander, and said hello to its new commander at a change of command ceremony here, July 10, 2018.

Col. Curtis A. Buzzard, the outgoing commander of operations group, helmed U.S. Army Europe's combat training center for the past two years. Buzzard will be moving on to Joint Base Lewis McCord's 7th Infantry Division.

"While in command, I've been blessed with so much talent -- officers, non-commissioned officers, and Soldiers," said Buzzard during his speech. "They've tackled complex problems, brought order to chaos, took care of one another, and no matter where they've been sent, they made the training first-class."

Col. Joseph E. Hilbert will be leading JMRC forward after his most recent stint as the commander of 82nd Airborne Division Artillery.

"To the team here on the tarmac, words can't express how humbled I am to be able to join your ranks," said Hilbert when addressing the Soldiers and audience in attendance. "From my days as a captain coming through here as a rotational unit, to my most recent experiences as a colonel observing the Kosovo Force's rotation, and participating in both Swift Response and Dynamic Front, the time that you all have invested in me and my units has been exceptional.

"Thanks for investing in me and making our Army and our partners better," he said. "I'm excited to be on the team with you."

Brig. Gen. Christopher C. LaNeve, commander, 7th Army Training Command, officiated the change of command ceremony. In attendance were friends, family, local burgermeisters and fellow Soldiers from U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.

"It is with the bottom of my heart that I say thanks to all of you," added Buzzard as he closed his speech. "Thanks for what you've done, what you will do, and thanks to all of our families and the local community for their support. I will miss being a part of such special place. God bless you all. Train to win!"

A change-of-command ceremony is a tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander.

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