Lt. Col. Alexander Burgos assumes command of the Picatinny Arsenal garrison

PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. -- Lt. Col. Adam Woytowich relinquished command of U.S. Army Garrison, Picatinny Arsenal to Lt. Col. Alexander Burgos during a ceremony here in the Lindner Conference Center on June 15.

As the incoming garrison commander, Burgos assumed responsibility for the day-to-day operations of the installation. He will sustain the command, control and operations of the installation, its installation-level support missions, and readiness for all tenant units. He will also help ensure the health, morale and welfare of the residents of Picatinny Arsenal.

Burgos comes here from the Pentagon, where he served in the National Strategy Branch for the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. After approaching the podium during the change of command, Burgos thanked friends, family, and fellow service members who helped make him successful throughout his military career.

“This is a humbling experience to become a member of this incredible team,” Burgos said in his brief remarks. “I am grateful and honored to work alongside this community. Thank you. Army Strong.”

Davis Tindoll Jr., director of the U.S. Army Installation Management Command – Sustainment, hosted the ceremony, which was attended -- both in-person, and virtually -- by friends and family members of both the incoming and outgoing commanders.

“The Army Installation Management Command’s mission is to deliver base support from a strategic support area, enabling readiness for a globally responsible Army,” Tindoll said as he addressed the audience. “The centerpiece of this command is the garrison. The individuals leading the garrison are integral to achieving that success. However, the Army doesn’t train its officers to be garrison commanders, but it does develop leaders, leaders that are capable, motivated, and dedicated to handle the challenges of this type of command. And that’s pretty much how I describe Adam (Woytowich).”

Tindoll praised Woytowich for his leadership during challenging times to include the pandemic, as well as budget constraints that made his duties as garrison commander even more challenging.

“In today’s resource constrained environment, where others saw challenge, Adam saw opportunity,” Tindoll said. “Every day he portrayed the Warrior Ethos of duty, loyalty, honor, and selfless service which was evident by his unwavering support to the Senior Commander and the mission partners of Picatinny Arsenal.”

As part of the change of command ceremony, the Picatinny Arsenal garrison guidon passed through the hands of Command Sgt. Terry L. Anderson Jr., to the outgoing garrison commander, into the hands of Tindoll, and eventually into the hands of the new garrison commander. This act served as Woytowich’s final, and Burgos’s first official acts with Anderson and Tindoll.

“My successor, Lt. Col. Burgos, will do an excellent job commanding the Picatinny Arsenal Garrison,” Woytowich said in his parting words. “He is absolutely the right officer for this position, as he has the right skillsets, experience, and intellect to lead our installation into its 143rd year of service to the Nation.”