In a time honored ceremony, Col (P) Joseph L. Bass accepted command of the Expeditionary Contracting Command from Brig. Gen. Camille M. Nichols during a ceremony in Fort Belvoir's Specker Field House.
The ECC is headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., and is a subordinate command of the U.S. Army Contracting Command. Bass takes command after serving as the Army Contracting Command's Chief of Staff and then as the command's acting deputy director.
"Gen. Nichols' accomplishments in the ACC are many and I've been fortunate to have witnessed her magnificent performance the past two years. I honestly don't believe anyone could've got done what she accomplished in such a short time" Bass said. "I promise you we'll work to build on your legacy."
Executive director Jeff Parsons spoke praises of both Nichols and Bass. Parsons thanked the outgoing commander for her vital management skills and numerous accomplishments throughout her tenure with ECC. He expressed his high expectations for the ECC under the incoming officer's command.
"You (Bass) are entrusted with great responsibility, not only are you head of a command and have an important organization to lead but you heard me remind Col. (P) Stephen B. Leisenring at his recent function of the Mission and Installation Contracting Command that in the gospel of Luke it tells us that of he to whom much is given, much is expected and you know that I'll expect a lot out of you," said Parsons.
Before departing Nichols, gave thanks and praise to key personnel within the ECC and left Bass with a final statement about the command he now oversees. "It is with great pride today that I pass to you the Expeditionary Contracting Command, they are focused on the right thing and that's the Warfighter," she said.
Bass entered the Army in 1983 as a Distinguished Military Graduate through the Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Longwood University in Farmville, Virginia and was commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps. Bass has a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Webster University, St. Louis, Missouri, and a Master of Science Degree in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Fort McNair, Washington, D. C. He is a graduate of the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, the Senior Acquisition Course, the Advanced Program Managers Course, the Army Command and General Staff College and the Training with Industry Program.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Defense and Army Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service and Army Commendation Medals, the Army Achievement Medal and many other awards achieved throughout his 26-year military career.
Nichols' next position will be as the commander, Joint Contracting Command- Iraq Afghanistan.
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