USAG Baumholder changes command

By Ignacio Rubalcava (USAG Baumholdewr)August 1, 2012

USAG Baumholder changes command
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WIESBADEN, Germany - Lt. Col. Michael D. Sullivan assumed command of the U.S. Army Garrison Baumholder during a July 20 ceremony that also honored the service of outgoing commander, Col. Sam McAdoo.

 

Sullivan took command from McAdoo, who served as the garrison commander since 2010. McAdoo departs for an assignment at Fort Gordon, Ga. where he will serve as the chief of concepts, requirements and developments division.

 

McAdoo thanked Soldiers, civilians, host nation employees and host nation civilians and leaders during his farewell speech. "To the directors and chiefs and other civilian leaders, it's been my distinct pleasure to have been on your team. If I have learned anything from you, it's patience, a profound respect for your professionalism in an ever changing IMCOM world. To our local national workforce, who with a yeoman's effort made this community run, I thank you not only for your service to the United States, but also for being the exemplary symbol of a great German-American friendship and relationship that we have. For our host nation civilians and leaders, you have rounded out the German experience for me and my family and it's been an honor to work with you and find solutions for our shared concerns."

 

Sullivan received his Army commission in the infantry in 1994 from the United States Military Academy. His most recent assignment was as the chief of plans, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, Ga.

 

He is no stranger to Germany, having served tours in Einsiedlerhof, Vilseck and Hohenfels.

 

He has also had tours at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Fort Knox, Ky., and Fort Bragg, N.C.

 

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Joint Service Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster , the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, the Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

 

In his incoming speech, Sullivan paid special note to the foundation of Baumholder -- its people. "In the short time we've been here we've quickly found out that we not only like the facilities here; we love the people in the community. As you all know it's the people that make a community, that make a service, and it's the people that are the strength of our Army. … We've quickly learned Baumholder is full of great people everywhere."

 

Sullivan takes command during a time when the garrison is focusing its efforts on supporting the departure and deactivation of the 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team while accommodating new incoming units. When the transformation is complete, Baumholder's population is expected to be about half of what is was previously.

 

During a garrison personnel assembly a week before his change of command McAdoo assured garrison personnel that all existing services would remain operational. There may be a cutback in hours of operation for some "front door" services but there will be no closures, according to McAdoo.

 

The USAG Baumholder has also recently become an indirect reporting garrison to U.S. Army Garrison Baden-Württemberg. In about one year, the garrison will again realign under the U.S. Army Garrison Kaiserslautern as an indirect reporting garrison when the Kaiserslautern garrison becomes a direct reporting garrison.

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