'Steel Warriors' welcome new commander

By Capt. Charlie Dietz, 214th Fires Brigade PAOMarch 7, 2013

Change of command
Lt. Col. JP Maddaloni passes the colors of 1-14 FAR to Command Sgt. Maj. Daniel Nolen, right, during an assumption of command ceremony at Rinehart Fitness Center Feb. 27. Maddaloni assumed command and will immediately prepare for an upcoming deploym... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Fort Sill, Okla. -- The 1-14th Field Artillery Regiment "Steel Warriors" of the 214th Fires Brigade formed up in Rinehart Fitness Center here Feb. 27 to welcome their new commander, Lt. Col. JP Maddaloni.

"Taking command of 1-14 is a privilege and I endeavor to earn the unit's trust. There is no better job in the Army and I look forward to leading the Soldiers of 1-14 FA to victory. Command is the culminating honor in my career and I plan for the battalion to be the unit I wish I could have

always served in, which requires everyone's selflessness and teamwork. I appreciate everyone's participation in the unit prior to my assumption of command and thank you for your contribution to getting the unit ready for the forthcoming deployment," said Maddaloni.

A West Point graduate and father of two children, Maddaloni has been stationed at Ft. Sill once before, however he won't be on Ft. Sill for very long. The battalion is prepping to deploy to the UAE in the next few months so Maddaloni is jumping right in, leading things off with a four day field training exercise the day after he assumes command.

"The training exercise is the culminating event for the battalion in its preparations for deployment in the Spring of this year. We will certify launcher sections, train air load preparations for HIMARS raid, and integrate our security force battery into operations. Overall, our goals are to ensure we meet all of our deployment tasks in order to best prepare the Soldiers of 1-14 for the

deployment and to build the team that will serve the Nation in support of theater specific contingency operations," Maddaloni said.

Despite the location that was selected due to weather, the battalion put on a full show for their new commander to include the 77th Army band from Ft. Sill and Brig. Gen. Ryan Gonsalves, deputy commander, 4th Infantry Division.

Maddaloni has been in the Army more than 17 years and credits the Army with allowing him to grow in each of the positions that he has been assigned to and credits the fine Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and officers he has worked with in the past that have prepared him to take command.