CHICOPEE, Mass. - Brig. Gen. James T. Williams, a resident of Monroe County, Georgia, takes command of 302nd Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, 412th Theater Engineer Command, following a change of command ceremony held April 22, 2012 here at Westover Air Reserve Base.
Prior to his new assignment, Williams served as deputy commander of operations of the 80th Training Command in Richmond, Va., and as interim commander of the 94th Division (Force Sustainment) at Fort Lee, Va.
Williams welcomes this new challenge and is eager to take 302nd to next level. The new commander is confident that the Soldiers of 302nd are mission focused to train and have the required skills to deploy anywhere in the world in support of our forces.
Williams has served in a variety of assignments since his commission as an Infantry Officer in 1983. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate of the University of Alabama. He earned a bachelor's degree in Commerce and Business Administration from the University of Alabama, an MBA in Management from Mercer University and a another master's in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
Williams also thanked his predecessor Brig. Gen. David W. Puster for his leadership and guidance, and said he will continue to build on Puster's legacy of success. The latter will leave the 302nd to become the new commander of the 84th Training Command at Fort Knox, Ky.
Puster, who served as 302nd brigade commander for almost two years, shared some valuable lessons with the unit during his farewell speech. "Being yourself and supporting your soldiers to the best of your ability. That's something I've tried to do throughout my career, and I brought that thought process up here, and it validated the experience I had with other soldiers," he said.
Puster began his military career when he commissioned as an Armor Officer in 1980. Since then, he has served in multiple positions of great responsibility around the country and overseas. He holds Bachelor of Science Degree in Physical Education, a master's degree in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary, and a second master's in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.
Social Sharing