MacFarland assumes Fort Leavenworth command roles from Cardon

By Mr. Steve Liewer (TRADOC)July 9, 2010

MacFarland assumes Fort Leavenworth command roles from Cardon
Brig. Gen. Sean MacFarland took on the roles of deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center-Leader Development and Education, and deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College in a Friday ceremony at Fort Le... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Leavenworth, KANSAS - Bound for service in Iraq, Maj. Gen. Edward Cardon turned over responsibility for two key leadership jobs within the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center to his successor, Brig. Gen. Sean MacFarland, during a simple, dignified ceremony Friday at Fort Leavenworth.

MacFarland assumes two positions - as deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center-Leader Development and Education, and as deputy commandant of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College - that have been changed dramatically during Cardon's two-year tenure.

Lt. Gen. Robert Caslen Jr., commanding general of the Combined Arms Center, praised Cardon for his "bold and innovative spirit" in spearheading the creation of the Army Leader Development and Education organization and a restructuring of the three schools within the 129-year-old Command and General Staff College as well as six satellite schools and centers across the United States.

He also cited the work of Cardon and his wife, Linda, for reinvigorating spouse-education programs at the college.

Cardon was presented with the Legion of Merit, and his wife received both the Margaret C. Corbin Award and the Army's Outstanding Civilian Service Medal.

"I feel honored to have served with you," Cardon told the crowd of about 500 students, faculty and guests. "This place will always be with us."

In a short address tinged with humor, MacFarland joked that his tactical instructors at West Point might be surprised to see him in command at the college. He said he and his wife, Lynda, are eager for the challenge ahead.

"We look forward to building on the great leadership the Cardons have built," he said.

MacFarland comes to Fort Leavenworth from Fort Bliss, Texas, where he commanded the U.S. Northern Command's Joint Task Force North, which oversees security along the United States' southern border.

Commissioned as an armor officer following his graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y., in 1981, MacFarland is a veteran of the peacekeeping missions in Bosnia and Macedonia/Kosovo. He served as deputy regimental operations officer for the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment during the first Gulf War and held senior leadership positions with Combined Joint Task Force 7 and the 1st Armored Division's 1st Brigade Combat Team during the Iraq war.

MacFarland holds graduate degrees from Georgia Tech, CGSC, and the National Defense University.

Cardon assumed the deputy commanding general and deputy commandant posts in August 2008. He was commissioned as an engineer officer after graduating from West Point in 1982. He served company, battalion, brigade and BCT tours with the 3rd Infantry Division, and staff assignments at the National Training Center, U.S. Army Engineer School, NATO and the Department of the Army. He is a veteran of the Bosnia peacekeeping mission and has served multiple combat tours in Iraq.

Cardon holds graduate degrees from the National War College and the U.S. Naval Command and Staff College. He will leave Fort Leavenworth for Baghdad to assume the position of deputy commanding general for support with U.S. Forces Iraq.