GARMISCH-PARTENKIRCHEN, Germany -- On July 27, U.S. Army Garrison Garmisch officially became the Garmisch Military Community in a color casing ceremony, here. The move formally incorporates the Garmisch community into the USAG Grafenwoehr footprint.
"The United States Military is transitioning into a smaller, leaner, fighting force," said Col. James Saenz, USAG Grafenwoehr commander, in a speech at the event. "Army units within Europe will follow suit and units will be required to deactivate, restation or realign within the BMC."
Saenz remarked that the closing of the USAG Garmisch chapter is part of the transition to a leaner, more efficient structure in the Bavaria Military Community.
In the spirit of increased efficiency, the Bavarian Military Community will continue to assess and realign current services to fit inside a tighter budget.
However, the high standards of assistance, living, training and will not decline.
"The Bavaria Military Community is enduring and will continue to provide vital services to Soldier, civilians and families, including those here in Garmisch," said Saenz, adding, "the quality of services will not deteriorate as we change to fit the current fiscal reality."
Higher, garrison-level functions for Garmisch will now be the responsibility of personnel in Grafenwoehr. This means that planning, technical and resource distribution for Garmisch will come through garrison headquarters in Grafenwoehr as they provide oversight for their compatriots in the south.
A long-standing Army tradition, a color casing usually marks a division's transition into a new theater. The event on July 27 signaled the retirement of the USAG Garmisch flag.
During the ceremony, Garmisch also said goodbye to John Cavanaugh, who had served as the interim garrison manager since November 2011. Cavanaugh received a prestigious award for his nine months of service.
The Garmisch Military Community also welcomed Maureen Riggs as its new deputy manager.
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