Rodriguez takes command of U.S. Army Forces Command

By Sgt Marcus Gable, 49th Public Affairs DetachmentSeptember 14, 2011

Rodriguez Takes Command
1 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Gen. David M. Rodriguez, Forces Command incoming commanding general, returns the command's colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Howard, FORSCOM acting command sergeant major, following Rodriguez' assumption of command, Sept. 12, 2011, at Fort Bragg, N.C... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rodriguez takes command
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Rodriguez takes command
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Rodriguez takes command
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Rodriguez takes Command
5 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (L-R) Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, chief of staff of the Army, and Gen. David M. Rodriguez, incoming commanding general, salute during the playing of the National Anthem, during the Forces Command Assumption of Command Ceremony, Sept. 12, 2011, at Fort B... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rodriguez Takes Command
6 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Airborne field artillery Soldiers from Bravo Battery, 1st Battalion, 319th Airborne Field Artillery Regiment fire a 19-round salute from M119A2 105mm howitzers during the U.S. Army Forces Command Assumption of Command Ceremony Sept. 12, 2011, at Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Rodriguez Takes Command
7 / 7 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (L) Gen. David M. Rodriguez accepts the U.S. Army Forces Command colors from Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, during a Sept. 12, 2011, Assumption of Command ceremony at Fort Bragg, N.C., as Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Howard, FORSCOM's acting command sergeant ma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BRAGG, N.C., Sept. 12, 2011 -- Gen. David M. Rodriguez took command of U.S. Army Forces Command here today in a ceremony that formalized the transformation of the "Home of the Airborne and Special Operations Forces" into a "four-star" installation.

U.S. Army Forces Command, or FORSCOM, Headquarters relocated here this summer under the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure legislation.

Rodriguez is the 19th commander in FORSCOM's 38-year history. Other notable former commanders of FORSCOM include Gen. Colin Powell and Gen. Walter T. Kerwin Jr., the first FORSCOM commander.

Rodriguez most recently served as commander of the International Security Force Joint Command and Deputy Commander, U.S. Forces-Afghanistan from March 2010 to July 2011.

During the ceremony, Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, the chief of staff of the Army, transferred the FORSCOM colors to Rodriguez with the assistance of Command Sgt. Maj. Roger Howard, acting FORSCOM command sergeant major. The passing of the colors symbolically represents the passing of responsibility and authority over to the new FORSCOM commander.

Today's ceremony was the first major Army ceremonial event hosted by Odierno, who became the 38th Army chief of staff Sept. 7.

"Today not only represents Dave (Rodriguez) taking command of FORSCOM, but also the final step of the transition of Forces Command from Atlanta to Fort Bragg," Odierno said.

"Assuming command of FORSCOM is a privilege and I am proud and lucky to be standing before you today," said Rodriguez. "The opportunity to lead our Army's largest command is a tremendous honor."

Rodriquez reflected on the tradition of excellence within FORSCOM and its many initiatives for national security, the Army's Soldiers and families.

Rodriguez lauded the Soldiers and family members of FORSCOM for their sacrifices and professionalism.

"Our nation and Army are in a sea of continual change," Rodriguez said. "This is nothing new to us and will not slow us down, nor will it detract from our mission focus in the future."

"The challenges we face will be tremendous, but we will not falter," he said in closing.

Related Links:

Army.mil: Inside the Army News

STAND-TO!: FORSCOM Campaign Plan 2011-2015

U.S. Army Forces Command