ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - A new era began at Aberdeen Proving Ground June 16 when Col. Orlando W. Ortiz transferred command of APG Garrison to Col. Gregory R. McClinton during a change of command ceremony at the post theater.
McClinton comes to APG from Norfolk, Va., where he served as the chief of staff for the U.S. Joint Forces Command and Joint Staff Deputy Directorate for Joint Force Coordination (J31), the Joint Staff.
Ortiz moves on to become director of Intelligence for the NATO mission in Afghanistan.
Davis D. Tindoll Jr., director, Atlantic Region, U.S. Army Installation Management Command, presided over the ceremony, passing the garrison colors from Ortiz to McClinton, symbolizing the transition of authority.
The ceremony was dedicated to the more than 1,200 Soldiers, civilians and contractors of the APG U.S. Army Garrison, according to Janet Dettwiler, the ceremony emcee and director of Human Resources.
Garrison APG directorates work together to support the 90 garrison-supported organization missions which include extensive research, development and engineering, communications, chemical and biological defense, public health and vehicle and weapons testing, Dettwiler said.
"Garrison support extends beyond the installation boundaries," she added. "The garrison works closely with local government agencies, community groups, emergency services agencies, and the surrounding county school systems in support of the community."
Tindoll acknowledged the leadership of Maj. Gen. Robert S. Ferrell, commander of APG and the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command, who was unable to attend. He called Ortiz an outstanding leader who ensured APG made tremendous contributions to Army readiness.
Listing Ortiz's accomplishments, Tindoll credited him with overseeing the base realignment and closure transition that included more than $1 billion in infrastructure upgrades, the construction of 18 new buildings on the installation, coordinating housing and transportation for incoming personnel, working with the state to improve roadways, and moving thousands of Soldiers and civilians to APG from Fort Lee, Va., and Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Tindoll called Ortiz's execution of the Enhanced Use Lease, which allows businesses to lease installation property and provide upgrades to the installation at no cost to the government, one of Ortiz's greatest achievements.
"With his leadership, APG's Enhanced Use Lease is one of the largest and most successful of its kind," he said. "Orlando, you have done well and I'm very proud of your success."
He welcomed McClinton, noting that he has impressive credentials for garrison command.
"He will bring new energy and excellence to APG," Tindoll said.
Ortiz said his accomplishments were more a testament to the garrison workforce than to himself. He expressed pride in the organizations headquartered on the installation and said he was grateful and proud to have led the garrison staff through BRAC and the loss and gain of so many military commands.
He thanked his wife, Family members and friends for their support, lastly asking the garrison staff to support and embrace McClinton.
"Thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything that you have done," he said. "Support this gentleman, support his Family, God bless you all."
McClinton thanked everyone in attendance, assured Ferrell and Tindoll that he looks forward to serving with and for them, and told local community and business leaders that he looks forward to continuing established relationships.
"To the garrison staff," he said, "your efforts are recognized throughout the Army. I expect you to continue to excel."
The APG Noncommissioned Officer and Soldier of the Year--Sgts. Olayiwola Kugblenu and Matthew Gansel of Kirk U.S. Army Health Clinic--presented flowers and garrison coins to the Family members of McClinton and Ortiz.
A combined color guard of Directorate of Emergency Services police officers and firefighters posted and retired the colors, led by Colors Sgt. Thomas Demaria.
Garrison Chaplain (Col.) Wayne Boyd presented the invocation and Courtney Payne of the U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command's Army Evaluation Center sang the national anthem.
Guests included Maryland State Senator Nancy Jacobs; representatives of Maryland Senator Ben Cardin and Maryland Congressman Dutch Ruprsberger; Harford County Executive David Craig; Aberdeen Mayor Michael Bennett; and members of the Harford County Council as well as Gold Star Mothers.
APG senior leaders in attendance included Brig. Gen. Leslie Smith, commander, 20th Support Command; Brig. Gen. John Regan, deputy commander, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command and director of the Army Evaluation Center; Dale Ormond, director, U.S. Army Research, Development and Engineering Command; Brig. Gen. Peter Hinz, assistant adjutant general, Maryland National Guard; Installation Command Sgt. Maj. Kennis Dent, CECOM; and several other command sergeants major and Senior Executive Service civilians.
Col. Gregory R. McClinton
A native of Harrisburg, Pa., McClinton was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Quartermaster Corps in 1987. His past assignments include 101st Airborne Division, Fort Campbell, Ky.; U.S. Military Training Mission to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia; Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; U.S. Army Cadet Command, Savannah, Ga.; Quartermaster Center and School, Fort Lee, Va.; 3rd U.S. Army, Camp Doha, Kuwait; Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, La.; Fort Greely, Alaska; and IMCOM, Alexandria, Va.
His military education includes Quartermaster Officer basic and advanced courses and the Army Command and General Staff College.
McClinton holds a bachelor's degree in marketing from Towson State University; a master's in computer resources and information management from Webster University; and a master's in national research strategy from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces, National Defense University.
McClinton is married to the former Vicky Arnette Saylor. They have two children--Chelsea, a recent graduate of the Georgia Institute of Technology, and Gregory Jr., a recent high school graduate.
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