Fires Center-Fort Sill welcomes new commander

FORT SILL, Okla. (July 28, 2016) -- Returning to Fort Sill where he become a field artillery officer in 1986, and where his father began his military career 50 years ago, Maj. Gen. Brian McKiernan took command of the Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill, during a change of command ceremony July 21, at Old Post Quadrangle.

"I am honored, I am absolutely humbled to be your next commanding general," said McKiernan, who most recently commanded First Army Division East at Fort Knox, Ky. "There is no other duty I would rather perform for our Army at this time. And there is absolutely no other community I would rather live in or serve than the Lawton-Fort Sill community.

McKiernan vowed to continue and build upon the legacy of outgoing Maj. Gen. John Rossi, who will become a lieutenant general and commander of the Army Space and Missile Defense Command in Huntsville, Ala., on Aug. 2.

McKiernan served as the 49th Field Artillery School commandant and chief of FA, leaving here in April 2013.

He said many mentors, leaders and Soldiers had a hand in making the FCoE the next stop for the McKiernans. He acknowledged many of them present, including retired Lt. Gen. David Halverson, former FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general.

McKiernan went on to thank his wife, Dr. (Col.) Sharon McKiernan and their children, whom he called his little half section.

"(Sharon) All I want you to know is that I love you and I can't tell you how happy I am to have you and our four incredible daughters by our side," he said. "And how proud I am to be known as, first of all, your husband, and the father of your daughters."

The ceremony's reviewing officer Lt. Gen. Michael Lundy, Combined Arms Center (CAC) and Fort Leavenworth (Kan.) commanding general, recounted Rossi's accomplishments and welcomed the McKiernans.

For the past couple years, Rossi has thought and executed big to move field and air defense artillery, as well as the Army forward, Lundy said.

Rossi influenced the joint military community through concepts that have taken hold very quickly, he's worked multiple material development solutions that brought FA and ADA into the future, he's helped to rewrite doctrine at the division level, he brought back division artillery, he's grown the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense system and increased the Patriot missile mission, Lundy said.

Look at all these complex challenges, John (Rossi) and his team have done phenomenally, the CAC commander said. He's really set an example for our centers of excellence across the Training and Doctrine Command.

"When I think about John, I think about innovation, I think about passion, I think about intensity," Lundy said. "The first thing he thinks about every day are his Soldiers and Marines."

The Army got it right by bringing the McKiernans to Fort Sill, Lundy said.

"There's no better team than Brian and Sharon to come in here," he said. "I absolutely look forward to the next two years.

"As I looked at John Rossi (an ADA officer) become one of the best field artillerymen, I have no doubt that you're going to be one of the best air defenders in the Army," said Lundy to McKiernan.

MAJ. GEN. ROSSI

"I loved this job," Rossi said.

When the ceremonial Fort Sill Artillery Half Section named its new horse after Rossi, the general said he knew it was time to go.

"It's feisty, it looks a little different," Rossi said. "They tell me it's untrained generally with the (field) artillery bit and has to learn it, a lot like me."

Rossi first thanked God, and then numerous people.

"I want to thank the Soldiers, the leaders and the civilians. From (Command) Sergeant Major Lindsey to our newest privates, from the generals to the lieutenants, from the front office to the talented and committed civilian workforce, who make the place run like clockwork. Thanks for doing it right. You never let us down," he said.

This was Rossi's first assignment at Fort Sill.

"I want to thank the community leaders and friends. You make this the community of choice. You have an unmatched connection that I've never seen before between a community and a post.

"To Liz and the kids: With you I won big, I won the jackpot," Rossi said. "It's the walk-off homerun that any man would dream of having."

Afterward, Rossi spoke with the media.

What did he gain as FCoE commander?

"I've been working with Soldiers many years, and they keep affirming to me that they are amazing."

He added that he did not have much experience working with the DA civilian workforce before, but in his time here he learned that they are an astonishing workforce with their commitment and the continuity they give the Army.

Rossi said he was experiencing bittersweet emotions with the change of command

"This is tradition as commanders come and go the name tag changes," he said, "but the colors and institution of command live on."

AWARD PRELUDE

Before the change of command, Lundy presented Rossi with the Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious service as the FCoE and Fort Sill commander from June 3, 2014 to July 21, 2016.

Rossi, a visionary leader, led the installation during the Army's 2020 reshaping, implementation of the sexual assault campaign, Fires force restructuring, sequestration, civilian furloughs and government shutdown, said program narrator Mike Simmons, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security chief of ceremonies. Rossi simultaneously implemented crucial operational, institutional and post restructure initiatives.

Fort Sill First Lady Liz Rossi was honored for her work with Survivor Outreach Services, the school district, young Army spouses and more. Lundy presented her with the Outstanding Civilian Service Award, the Margaret Corbin Award for volunteerism, the Oklahoma Governor's Commendation, and the Red Legacy Award for the impact she made on the Army and Lawton-Fort Sill community.

"She definitely exemplifies what a first lady should be at this post," Lundy said.