Fort Drum garrison welcomes new leader

By Michelle KennedyAugust 1, 2012

Fort Drum Garrison COC
Davis D. Tindoll Jr., U.S. Army Installation Managment Command Atlantic
Region director, passes a guidon to Col. Gary A. Rosenberg, incoming
commander, during the Fort Drum garrison change of command
ceremony Friday at Sexton Field as Command Sgt. Ma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- Soldiers, Family Members, civilians and community leaders welcomed a new senior leader during the Fort Drum garrison change of command ceremony Friday at Sexton Field. Col. Noel T. Nicolle relinquished command to Col. Gary A. Rosenberg.

Nicolle will soon report to U.S. Army Forces Korea, where he will serve as secretary for the combined joint staff for the United Nations Command and Eighth Army's command group.

Rosenberg previously served as garrison commander in Bamberg, Germany, and most recently completed a tour in Iraq, where he served as counterterrorism advisory team chief for Joint Forces Special Operations Component Command -- Iraq and counterterrorism service adviser for the Office of Security Cooperation -- Iraq.

Reviewing officer for the ceremony was Davis D. Tindoll Jr., U.S. Army Installation Management Command Atlantic Region director.

"I'm privileged to be back on this outstanding installation that has such a long and proud tradition of supporting the defense of our great nation," he said. "As director of the Atlantic Region of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command, it is my duty to serve our Soldiers and their Families. It's an honor for me to host this change of command ceremony.

"Today we welcome Col. Gary Rosenberg. Please accept my personal welcome to the Fort Drum garrison and the Atlantic Region team," he continued.

Rosenberg brings a wealth of experience as a special forces officer with joint, command and staff experience, which will benefit him in the role of garrison commander, Tindoll explained.

"(After serving in Iraq), I know he's ready for a change, and I know he's the right guy for this job," he said. "Col. Rosenberg, I'm confident that with your demonstrated leadership, you will build on your abilities and the successes of the previous garrison commanders and bring new energy and excellence to the Fort Drum garrison team.

"I look forward to working with you as we sustain, support and defend this installation for the Army, the senior commander, the assigned units and the members of the Fort Drum community," Tindoll added.

Fort Drum's garrison workforce -- both military and civilian -- make a difference in the lives of Soldiers and their Families, and Tindoll said he is proud to serve with them.

Rosenberg said he is humbled to have an opportunity to command the Fort Drum garrison.

"My Family and I are very pleased to call Fort Drum 'home,'" Rosenberg said, adding that while he was deployed to Iraq, his wife and two sons have been living at Fort Drum. "They know firsthand what a truly fantastic place Fort Drum and the surrounding communities are.

"Having just returned, I'm personally aware of the sacrifices our Soldiers and Families continue to make," he continued. "I also understand the critical role the garrison team plays in supporting Soldiers and Families as they train, deploy and redeploy in service of our great nation."

The Fort Drum garrison under the leadership of Nicolle has excelled, and Rosenberg said he could not ask for a better or more dedicated team. He also thanked Nicolle and his Family for their support, as well as Tindoll and Maj. Gen. Mark A. Milley, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, for the opportunity to lead the garrison.

"I look forward to working with the garrison workforce, the 10th Mountain Division and the local communities as we continue to provide the best possible service and quality of life that our Soldiers and Families deserve," Rosenberg noted. "IMCOM is the Army's home, and Fort Drum is the 10th Mountain Division's home. It's good to be home, and I'm honored to have the opportunity to lead this garrison."

After two years of service to the Fort Drum garrison, Nicolle has many accomplishments to his credit, Tindoll noted. In addition to leading the garrison staff to support more than 40,000 Soldiers, Family Members and civilians at Fort Drum and the surrounding communities, Nicolle helped Fort Drum become an Army Community of Excellence, earning silver in 2011 and bronze in 2012.

"Fort Drum's loss is U.S. Army Forces Korea's gain," Tindoll said. "I have absolutely no doubt that he will bring the same great professionalism and energy to his new job that he displayed as garrison commander here at Fort Drum; and they will be better for it.

"Make no mistake, Col. Noel Nicolle has done his part making Fort Drum a model installation, and (he did) it during a challenging time of a new fiscal reality, but he leaves Fort Drum a better place," he continued. "Noel and Tamara, I extend to you my personal thanks and appreciation … for all you've done to make this community a great home for Army Families."

Nicolle said the change of command ceremony was a celebration of the Fort Drum garrison and what it has accomplished during the past two years. The garrison workforce has earned many awards, but what it does best is persevere.

"The garrison workforce represented in front of us is absolutely fantastic," he said. "You persevered through force reshape / restructure, annual budget reductions of over $10 million, (and) downsizing of over 200 employees to retirements, early retirements and normal attrition. Never once did they allow the mission to fail.

"Truly, never once did I hear a complaint from the workforce. They don't complain, and they don't allow things to drop," Nicolle continued. "They understand the importance of what they do to support the magnificent 10th Mountain Division and Fort Drum -- our men and women who fight this nation's war."

Nicolle thanked the garrison civilian directors for their dedication to Fort Drum. He also thanked past and present IMCOM, 10th Mountain Division and garrison leaders for their mentorship and support. Finally, he thanked his parents, wife and two sons.

"I truly can't say 'thank you' enough on a personal level, as well as a professional level," Nicolle said. "The North Country really is the warmest place you'll ever live."