Division deputy commander receives first star

FORT DRUM, N.Y. --- Families, friends and senior 10th Mountain Division (LI) leaders gathered Nov. 22 at Magrath Gymnasium on Fort Drum for the promotion ceremony of Brig. Gen. Brian S. Eifler, 10th Mountain Division (LI) deputy commanding general of operations.

Eifler first assumed his duties as the DCGO during a Mountain Salute ceremony earlier this summer, but until now he had fulfilled that role as a colonel. That ceremony allowed Eifler to be formally welcomed to Fort Drum and the North Country.

"It is an honor to be part of the team here," Eifler said. "Every day I wake up and come to work, it's like Christmas morning. I would rather be nowhere else. I'm here to serve. Climb to Glory. This we'll defend."

Maj. Gen. Walter E. Piatt, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum commander, presided over the promotion and administered the re-swearing of the oath, to reaffirm the new general's resolve and commitment to the United States Army.

"We have a lot of things to be thankful for today," Piatt said. "I'm thankful to be in the best division in the Army and I'm thankful to live in the North Country, the best community in the country.

"In the pamphlets you've been given today, it defines the rank of general as someone who signifies superiority and seniority with distinction," Piatt continued. "Some feel today that it is just given to old fat guys that demand everything and are one for nothing. But I tell you, if you look at the generals who have served as deputy commanding generals of operations in this division that could not be farther from the truth. In our Army, it is defined by serving leaders selected for the honor to be a brigadier general, so we may serve others. And today we see the model for serving leadership in Brian Eifler."

The ceremony was live streamed so that Eifler's father, Ray Eifler, who was receiving chemotherapy, could watch his son being presented with the prestigious rank of brigadier general.

"I've got to give a shout out to my dad who is down in Florida," Eifler said. "He's going to chemotherapy, so he couldn't make it. My father taught me a lot. He taught me how to ski.

"I'm not from a big military Family, but my dad was in the Army in the '50s," Eifler continued. "He told me he got promoted three times -- he said he made private first class three times. So I know he's really proud of me. I love you dad. Keep up the fight." 