SAN ANTONIO - Capt. Yvonne Perdomo assumed command of the Army Entertainment Detachment at a ceremony held at Fort Sam Houston on Thursday, Sept. 1, 2011.
Capt. Chineka Reid, who had served as commander since August of last year, is leaving the unit to become a detachment commander for the 595th Transportation Terminal Group in Qatar.
Brig. Gen. John Uberti, Deputy Commanding General for Support, Installation Management Command, presided at the ceremony. Following tradition, Brig. Gen. Uberti passed the unit guidon -- representing the leadership of the organization -- from Capt. Reid to Capt. Perdomo before it was handed to First Sgt. Johnny Dubose for safekeeping.
Distinguished guests from the Installation Management Community included Lt. Gen. Rick Lynch, Commanding General and Assistant Chief of Staff of Installation Management; Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, Deputy Commanding General for Operations; Mr. Joe Capps, Executive Director; Mr. J.C. Abney, Director of Family and MWR Programs; Command Sgt. Maj. Neil Ciotola and Command Sgt. Maj. Abe Vega. Also in attendance was Capt. Perdomo's husband, Chief Warrant Officer Oscar Perdomo.
"Today marks a new chapter in my career," Capt. Perdomo. "I am honored and extremely grateful. I look forward to the upcoming challenges and the rewards of commanding."
She urged the Soldiers who now fall under her command to continue to push further in support of their mission.
"Never settle for mediocrity when you have greatness within," she said.
Army Entertainment Detachment completed a move from Fort Belvoir, Va., to San Antonio this week as mandated by 2005 Base Realignment and Closure law. Now located at Fort Sam Houston, the operation joins the rest of the Installation Management Community on a newly dedicated campus to continue to serve Soldiers and their Families within Family and MWR Programs.
The historic Fort Sam Houston Theater is being specially adapted for the detachment's use. While maintaining its traditional facade, improvements inside the facility include a modified stage, additional room for lighting and space for offices and recording studios. The site will become home base for Army Entertainment operations, including the U.S. Army Soldier Show, an annual production that has presented over 900 performances since its creation in 1983.
"For those of you that have seen the Army Soldier Show or the many other venues that the Army Entertainment Detachment provides, you know what a special and unique organization this is," said Uberti during his remarks.
In addition to improving the morale of service members at home and in the field, Uberti said that performances overseas also provide a unique opportunity to help secure strategic bonds between our nation and our allies.
"We cannot lose sight of how valuable this unique organization is, not only to the Army, but to our nation," he said.
During the ceremony, Reid thanked the Soldiers and Army civilians who have served with her during the past year. She also told Perdomo what can be expected while working with those Soldiers in the future.
"Capt. Perdomo, you and your family are about to enter an environment that will redefine your perception of the entertainment industry," she said. "Your Soldiers are the most hardworking and dedicated Soldiers I've ever experienced throughout my career. You can't help but love them once you see the camaraderie and bond that they all have."
To learn more about Army Entertainment Detachment, visit ArmyEntertainment.net.
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