Warrior Division welcomes Ferrell as ADC-S

Col. Terry R. Ferrell, who once served as a tank platoon leader and company executive officer at Camp Casey, returned to Warrior Country as the new 2nd Infantry Division Assistant Division Commander-Support during a patch ceremony conducted May 28 at the Village Green on Camp Red Cloud, Korea.

Ferrell replaces Col. James L. Creighton, Jr., who departs after eight months as ADC-S in addition to distinguished service on the peninsula with Eighth Army. Creighton will serve as strategic advisor to the International Security Assistance Force commander in Afghanistan.

A large crowd of Division leaders, Soldiers and Family members as well as Korean governmental, civic and military leaders gathered amid warm weather and clear skies for the event.

Regional Korean leaders recognized Creighton and his wife, Tamasine Wood-Creighton - a very involved Family Readiness Group leader and volunteer - with a series of gifts and awards. Maj. Gen. John W. Morgan III, the 2nd Infantry Division commanding general, presented Creighton the Legion of Merit and his wife the Commander's Award for Public Service at the culmination of the awards ceremony which was held prior to the patch ceremony.

During the patch ceremony Morgan bid the Creighton Family fond farewell and greeted his new ADC-S warmly.

The commander outlined the daunting mission confronting a Warrior ADC-S and praised Creighton's achievements within the Division.

"The Assistant Division Commander-Support operates, often, behind the scenes," Morgan said. "The officer holding this position works long hours across the spectrum of readiness operations. For some, the mission of 'readiness' is not glamorous, and at times a thankless job.

"The task of any ADC-S is to sustain the Division and its warfighters," he continued. "From financing and budgeting to personnel and material readiness, the ADC-S position is a no-quit, no-fail mission. Without an engaged, adaptive and agile leader behind the helm, any Division would succumb to logistical failures, training shortfalls and Soldiers ill-equipped and ill-prepared for battle."

"I had no doubts then that you would succeed," Morgan told Creighton, "and now today, it is readily apparent that you did much more than sustain our readiness. Your work in the Division has been instrumental in ensuring our Warriors have the beans and bullets to fight tonight, and in guiding our Division through the early phases of transformation."

Creighton in turn offered high praise for Korean hosts, fellow 2nd ID leaders and the Division he served.

"This Division holds the mantle for the Army in conducting intelligence-driven, full-spectrum deliberate combat operations," he said. "We are the standard-bearer for the Army in maintaining the skills required to execute major combat operations. Our ability to fight tonight is a major component in deterring North Korea from doing more than testing their capabilities. What we do every day is vital to sustaining the strongest alliance in the world."

Creighton thanked his commanding general, his colleagues and the Warriors he helped lead.

"The Soldiers on the field represent the best our nation has to offer," he said. "Thank you for your commitment and service. You are truly second to none."

Celebration of the Creightons' service in Korea gave way to embrace of the incoming ADC-S and his family.

Morgan described Ferrell as "a combat-tested commander" who led with distinction in Operation Iraqi Freedom.

"You re-enter the Division at a dynamic and critical point in its history as we continue to undergo transformation," he told Ferrell. "I will look to you as my advisor during the transformation execution... You will face challenges and tasks unseen by the previous ADC-S in this great Division."

"I have complete confidence in you and your abilities to adapt and resolve situations," he added. "Know that I recognize the challenges that lay ahead, and that I will support your actions and decisions."

Ferrell thanked Division key leaders for a warm reception and exuded enthusiasm for his new mission.

"It is truly an honor and a privilege to serve once again in this wonderful Division," the new ADC-S said. "I started here 24 years ago and it is still as phenomenal to be back today as it was the first day I stepped here. And I am humbled to be here. I look forward to serving in this wonderful Division."

Ferrell added that he sees "not challenges," but "opportunities to help move and sustain this Division - to take it to the next level - because it has a wonderful reputation. It's a historic Division, one that knows how to fight and fight tonight. That is something I am very proud to be a part of."

Prior to rejoining the Warrior Division, Ferrell served as chief of staff of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Ferrell received his commission as an Armor officer in 1984 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps Program at Marshall University, where he also earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Counseling and Rehabilitation. The new ADC-S holds a Master's in Business Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master's in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

As Morgan noted during the patch ceremony, Ferrell commanded a 3rd ID squadron and brigade in Iraq. He led 3rd Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment in OIF I and the 2nd Brigade Combat Team in OIF V.