U.S. Army Europe’s only civil affairs brigade receives new commander

By Master Sgt. Gloria ColonBuzatu, 361st Civil Affairs BrigadeJune 8, 2011

U.S. Army Europe’s only civil affairs brigade receives new commander
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Jimmie Jaye Wells (right), commanding general of the 7th Civil Support Command, passes the 361st Civil Affairs Brigade colors to the incoming commander, Col. Robert W LeValley (left), a native of Kingston, R.I., during the 361st CA Bde. ch... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe’s only civil affairs brigade receives new commander
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (from left to right) Capt. Gretchen Bux, brigade human resources officer, Sgt. 1st Class Paul Caron, brigade security officer, Lt. Col. James DeRose, brigade deputy commander, Maj. Bridget Hayes, logistics officer , and 1st Lt. Kevin Essary, communi... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Europe’s only civil affairs brigade receives new commander
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany " A bright sunny day provided a perfect setting for the change-of-command ceremony for U.S. Army Europe’s only civil affairs brigade at NCO Field on Daenner Kaserne here June 5.

Col. Robert W. LeValley, a native of Kingston, R.I., assumed command from Col. Friedbert J. Humphrey. Soldiers travelled as far as Vicenza, Italy, to see the ceremony and support the brigade.

The 361st CA Bde. is the first civil military operation asset in USAREUR that also supports the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s and the 7th Civil Support Command’s missions. Civil military operations activities include partnering with the host nation and foreign publics in peacetime to improve services or in the case of combat operations to help a nation rebuild after a conflict.

Maj. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion, the commanding general of the 21st TSC, Maj. Gen. David S. Elmo, the USAREUR deputy chief of staff for mobilization and reserve affairs, along with leaders and primary staff officers of the 7th CSC, attended the ceremony.

Brig. Gen. Jimmy Jay Wells, the commanding general of the 7th CSC, presided over the ceremony in the traditional passing of the unit colors in front of the troops of the 457th CA Battalion and the 361st CA Bde.’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company.

Over the past two years, from the forming and then activation of the brigade in Sept. 2010, the brigade has grown from a staff of less than 15 Soldiers to more than 200 today, who travel from four continents, such as Italy, Nigeria, Spain, Kazakhstan and the U.S. to train here, Wells said.

He commended Humphrey’s training programs that cultivated dedication and sacrifice.

“The readiness and the level of linguistically-capable Soldiers of the 361st have been substantial. There are 15 different languages spoken to Defense Language Institute standards and … this unit is one of the best in the Army reserves.”

In his farewell speech, Humphrey attributed his success to the Soldiers’ diversity and commitment to serve, and their commitment to live up to the brigade’s motto of “Keep the Peace.”

Humphrey’s next assignment is the Army’s Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Monroe, Va.

In LeValley’s brief address to the troops, he affirmed the brigade was ready to integrate into the next phase of training. LeValley comes to the brigade from the John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, N.C., as the senior Army reserve advisor.

“We will be transforming from individual training … to training for possible deployment when the Army calls. Our future holds bright and great things for us,” said LeValley.

He reminded the troops that education and training will remain a priority.

“I’ll assure that you have every opportunity to be trained and educated in your craft,” said LeValley.

He also pledged his commitment to support the Soldiers and their Families.

“Without you or your Families, we would not be able to do what we do,” he added.