Quantock takes over as provost marshal general

FORT BELVOIR, Va. (Sept. 28, 2011) -- During a formal ceremony at Fort Belvoir's Long Parade Field, Maj. Gen. David E. Quantock assumed responsibility as the provost marshal general of the Army and took command of the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, commonly referred to as CID.

Quantock is the 11th commander of CID since it was first established as a major command on Sept. 17, 1971, and he's the 14th provost marshal general to hold the position since it was established in September 1941. He replaces Brig. Gen. Colleen L. McGuire who will be assuming the responsibility of the J-1 on the Joint Staff.

Vice Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Peter W. Chiarelli hosted the ceremony and thanked McGuire for her leadership and significant contributions during her tenure as the PMG and commanding general of CID.

"I know you are very proud of the Soldiers and Army Civilians of this command," Chiarelli said. "I want to take this opportunity to thank you for the outstanding direction and support you've provided them…you've truly done a remarkable job."

Chiarelli then stressed the significance of the mission carried out by the men and women of the military police community and his confidence in Quantock as he assumes his position as the Army's top law-enforcement professional.

"Suffice it to say, the men and women of the Office of the Provost Marshal General, the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command, Army Corrections Command, and the Health Promotion, Risk Reduction and Suicide Prevention Task Force have been extremely busy; and have done a phenomenal, phenomenal job," Chiarelli said.

"Major General Quantock is well-qualified and I am confident his is up for the challenge," he said. "I am absolutely certain he's the right person to lead this organization in the days ahead and I look forward to working with him on issues of great importance to our Army and the nation."

Quantock relinquished his position as commanding general of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., to assume the role as the PMG and the commander of CID, as the organization enters its 40th year as the Army's premier investigative agency.

"I am absolutely honored to be taking command of these awesome organizations and I cannot wait to start working with you," Quantock said. "It is an honor to serve with all of you."

Following the change of command ceremony, Quantock took the oath and assumed the responsibilities of the Office of the PMG. Throughout its long history, the PMG position was routinely re-established during major combat, but discontinued shortly after the conflicts ended. Former Secretary of the Army Thomas White approved the re-establishment of the office at the onset of the global war on terrorism in 2003.

Looking to the future, Quantock stressed his three top priorities as the PMG and commanding general of CID.

"First is to support the current fight; this is the first and last thought on my mind every day," he said. "What can we do to support our fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen in harm's way?"

"Second is to assist and protect," he added in reference to the Military Police Corps motto. "What have we done to take care of our Soldiers, Civilians and families both at home and abroad."

"And third, to forge the future," Quantock said. "What can we do best to defeat the enemy and do what's best for our Army and our nation."

Quantock was commissioned a second lieutenant and awarded a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice in 1980 from Norwich University. He holds Master Degrees in Computer Science from the Naval Postgraduate School, in Public Administration from Troy State University, and in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military education includes the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, The Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, and the U.S. Army War College.

His principal staff assignments have been as brigade S-3, 16th MP Brigade (Airborne) and as battalion executive officer for the 503rd MP Battalion (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., during Operation Uphold Democracy and Operation Restore Democracy in Haiti. He served as operations officer, J-3 Command Systems Operations Division, the Joint Staff, Washington, D.C.; as a senior security advisor in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; as deputy G-3, XVIII Airborne Corps; and as deputy chief of staff for the XVIII Airborne Corps.

He commanded the 504th MP Battalion, Fort Lewis, Wash., during Bright Star 2000 in Egypt. He commanded the 16th Military Police Brigade (Airborne) from Fort Bragg during Operation Iraqi Freedom II in Iraq). He served as commandant of the U.S. Army Military Police School at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; and as deputy commanding general (Detainee Operations)/ commanding general, Joint Task Force 134 and provost marshal general, U.S. Forces-Iraq.

Quantock's awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star Medal, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Army Achievement Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Iraq Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Joint Staff Identification Badge, the Master Parachutist Badge, the Ranger Tab, and the British and German Parachutist Badges.