BAMBERG, Germany -- A significant change of leadership occurred for U.S. Army Garrison Bamberg Friday at Summerall Field, as Lt. Col. Gary A. Rosenberg passed responsibility of Warner Barracks to Lt. Col. Steven L. Morris.
For the past three years, Rosenberg has commanded Warner Barracks, addressing the concerns and issues of the more than 3,200 Soldiers and 3,700 Family members that make up the post. Making strides in the physical development of the post, enhancing the relationships between the U.S. Army and host nation citizens and creating an atmosphere and workforce that would successfully move into the future.
Rosenberg is satisfied he has met his main goals. He reflected with confidence at the July 9 ceremony, attended by more than 200 members of the military and local communities.
Aca,!A"I believe Warner Barracks is a better place to live and work than it was three years ago,Aca,!A? Rosenberg said.
He listed the improvement of roads, administrations spaces, offices spaces, housing and barracks as just a few of the focuses in the physical arena.
Aca,!A"I donAca,!a,,ct think thereAca,!a,,cs a single category of space that we havenAca,!a,,ct made some kind of improvement to,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"I want to thank Bamberg-based Soldiers and Families for their patience and support as we made these improvements and I want to thank the Directorate of Public Works for the great job they have done in making these improvements happen.Aca,!A?
Rosenberg cited the three main elements that have ensured the continued success of USAG Bamberg: the garrison workforce, volunteer programs and outstanding support from the units stationed at Warner Barracks.
Aca,!A"There is no better workforce in any garrison in Germany,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"Your hard work and dedication has been impressive and unequaled. Working with you has been a pleasure and I thank you for your loyalty and support. Our Family Readiness Groups are the core of our community support. Their assistance, especially during the past three years of ongoing deployments, has been invaluableAca,!A|The volunteer spirit is alive and well in Bamberg and it is crucial to maintaining and improving our services.
The final element is the outstanding support the garrison receives from the tenant units, he said. They are willing to help ensure the right support is provided at the right time, while offering their assistance. This support has been invaluable to the garrisonAca,!a,,cs success.
Throughout his three-year term, Rosenberg has seen USAG Bamberg through some tumultuous times.
Aca,!A"Our future is still up in the air, we know that, but the one thing we have as an asset is the incredible talent and commitment of our workforce and, as long as they continue to display that, it will help us continue on,Aca,!A? Rosenberg said. Aca,!A"The workforce specifically makes us competitive..but that also goes to the Soldiers and units because we have great cooperation together and people love to be here.Aca,!A?
As one of the highest-deploying garrisons in Europe, Warner Barracks constantly works to maintain a stable environment in spite of the ebb and flow of community members.
Aca,!A"At any given time, we have approximately 50 percent of our Soldiers deployed,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"In fact, we have already deployed and redeployed every unit on this garrison with the exception of the (Criminal Investigation Division) Battalion though we have deployed some of them as teams and individualsAca,!A|It takes a tremendous amount of effort to support these Soldiers and their Families and I am extremely proud of the great work that this garrison, the Rear Detachments, the (Family Readiness Support Assistants), the FRGs have done in support of these brave Americans.Aca,!A?
Rosenberg and his family will spend the next year in Garmisch, at his assignment as a U.S. Army War College Fellow at the Marshall Center.
He will miss the role of directly helping and making a positive impact on peopleAca,!a,,cs lives, as a command position affords, but is looking forward to spending more time with this family.
Many representatives from the local city and county offices attended the event. Rosenberg has been recognized as an active community member since his arrival, regularly attending German events and partaking in local customs and traditions.
Aca,!A"We could not have asked for better cooperation and a more true and faithful friendship as we have found here in Bamberg,Aca,!A? he said. Aca,!A"I canAca,!a,,ct thank you enough for your support and your loyalty toward us, the U.S. Army. What I have seen here I have witnessed no place else: true partnership and friendship between Warner Barracks, the city and the county of Bamberg.
"Be assured that we will be back in Bamberg to see the many great friends we have met during our time here. And though Garmisch is a beautiful place, it does not have what we have found here: a home. Thank you to all the great Bamberg citizens who have welcomed us with open arms.Aca,!A?
While Rosenberg ended his speech with Aca,!A"Auf Wiedersehen,Aca,!A? Morris began his by saying Aca,!A"Wir lieben Bamberg,Aca,!A? or Aca,!A"We love BambergAca,!A? in English.
Aca,!A"Johanna and I are honored and humbled to be here in Germany and be a part of this great community and the wonderful people who live here both on- and off-post,Aca,!A? Morris said.
Morris extended a special thank you to the city and county of Bamberg and to the district of Upper Franconia for their continued outstanding support.
Aca,!A"I look forward to continuing this great partnership between our two nations and our communities as we forge the next chapter together,Aca,!A? he said.
He then addressed the Rosenberg and Carol, thanking them for their warmth and efforts to ensure he and his wife had a Aca,!A"smooth and seamlessAca,!A? transition.
He then promised community members three things. First, he promised to earn the respect and confidence of residents each and every day and to always give the community 100 percent and to treat each member with the highest dignity and respect. Second, he promised to place the welfare of the Bamberg community first and foremost always. Third, he promised to never let the community down.
Aca,!A"We will accomplish each mission as a proud member of a team of teams, which encompasses our military community on Warner Barracks as well as the host nation community that warmly surrounds us," Morris said. "I look forward to our journey together and all of its challenges as we head into the future.Aca,!A?
The change of command was followed by a welcome reception at the Warner Conference Center, where employees were offered the chance to meet Morris and his wife Johanna in a social setting.
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