PRESIDIO OF MONTEREY, Calif. - Col. Joel J. Clark assumed command of the U.S. Army Garrison, Presidio of Monterey, in a ceremony held on Soldier Field July 19, joining Installation Management Command as its newest garrison commander.
IMCOM West Region Director Randall Robinson officiated over the ceremony that included garrison staff, Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center personnel and guests from the community.
Robinson started by speaking about the heroic actions being taken on the battlefield as a hallmark of the nation’s legacy, but, he said, “equally compelling are the heroic deeds done by our service members and family members on a daily basis that place the needs of others above their own.”
He pointed to the significance of a service member on the battlefield as well as to the significance of a spouse who “somehow finds the ability to serve families within the military community and to advocate for family programs in addition to making a house of their own” as examples of lives that exemplify “selfless service and enduring strength.”
“It is with deepest admiration that we acknowledge the contributions of each member that is here today, whether it be military, civilian or contractor. I can assure you that as you continue your unending service, Colonel Clark and the IMCOM team will support you and your noble mission,” he said.
“Today we are in an era of a fundamentally different fiscal reality,” Robinson continued, “But in this era we will continue to protect our families, improve housing communities, encourage resiliency and offer quality services. All of this is important as we support the vital mission of army readiness.”
He explained that the Presidio’s recent successes place it in a good position to assist military families.
“Much of the recent success at the Presidio of Monterey is directly attributed to your professional and personal contributions. The 2011 ACOE honorable mention award in overall garrisons competition; and you are the 2011 ACOE exemplary practice winner,” he said. “In addition to these prestigious awards, you won the 2011 sec of the army superior quality of life award in the small installation category. You took first place in the Philip A. Connelly small dining facility category. You received first place at the IMCOM level; and were a finalist at the Army-level competition.
Robinson also added that the installation reduced water consumption by 22 percent since 2007. “You have the best environmental system performance results in the history of the program; you scored in the top three percentile of all Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobility and Security for Army inspections; and you earned a perfect score in the accreditation of your Army Community Service.”
“Presidio of Monterey team,” Robinson summed up, “you epitomize the very best of America. You represent Army Strong.”
“Colonel Clark brings outstanding leadership and capabilities to the position. I know he will do everything in his power to lead the Presidio of Monterey and to take it to new heights,” he concluded, “When the nation calls, as it most certainly will, the Presidio of Monterey will continue to be ready.
In response, Clark thanked Robinson for the” kind words and the pressure.”
He then said his family and he understand the immense responsibility they are about to undertake. “You just have to turn on the TV for a few minutes to understand those challenges.”
In addition to following with a thanks to his family, Clark also acknowledged the work former garrison commander Col. Darcy A. Brewer and the garrison team did in “setting a standard it will be tough to live up to.”
Clark ended by saying “I look forward to working for you in the near future and I look forward to working for you every day. That’s my job. And that’s my profession.”
Former garrison commander Col. Darcy Brewer transferred prior to the ceremony.
Clark was commissioned as an infantry officer in 1987 as a distinguished military graduate from the University of Iowa. His first duty assignment was with the 3/325th Airborne Battalion Combat Team in Vicenza, Italy. Upon completion of the Special Forces Assessment and Selection Course and the Special Forces Qualification Course he was assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) where he served in multiple positions.
He was later assigned to the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command and U.S. Army Personnel Command. Clark also served in the 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne), United States Special Operations Command and as part of Task Force 134 (Detainee Operations) in Iraq.
Prior to his current assignment he was the director of the Joint Force Training Directorate at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, Fort Monroe, Va.
Clark is a graduate of the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced courses as well as the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, Joint Forces Staff College and the Joint Advanced Warfighting School. He holds masters’ degrees from Central Michigan University, Naval Postgraduate School and National Defense University. His awards and decorations include numerous U.S. achievement and service ribbons as well as U.S. and foreign qualification badges.
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