Rideout assumes garrison command at West Point

WEST POINT, N.Y. (July 11, 2012) -- Members of the West Point community gathered at Trophy Point Tuesday for the Garrison Change of Command as Col. Dane D. Rideout assumed command from Col. Michael Tarsa. During a change of responsibility ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Fauntleroy replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Powell as garrison command sergeant major.

Rideout is a former enlisted Marine and a 1990 graduate of Ball State University. He branched aviation and was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Division in the Republic of Korea, one of his many deployments.

In 1997, Rideout was assigned to West Point as the Chief of Cadet Advanced Training and later helped establish the Simon Center for the Professional Military Ethic.

He deployed to Iraq in 2003, supporting combat operations across the Iraqi northern front. Later in July 2003, he was selected to serve as the J-1 for Special Operations Command Europe, Stuttgart, Germany and, while assigned there, he again deployed in support of counter terrorist operations for the Summer Olympics in Greece and directed the human resources operations for Operation Enduring Freedom-Trans Sahara in Northern Africa in 2007.

His most recent assignment was as the G-1 for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command.

Rideout is a senior rated aviator and is airborne and air assault qualified. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Meritorious Service Medal.

In saying farewell to Tarsa, Maj. Gen. Reuben Jones, Installation Management Command's deputy commanding general, spoke of how well Tarsa held to the expectations of this garrison.

"This is a great place because of your connection to the community," Jones said. "Tarsa came here with inspired leadership and to get it right. He also had a great battle buddy with Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Powell, who was a problem solver and shared the mantle of leadership.

"Mike, I'm sure as you leave here, you will remember Net Zero. Your vision is complete," he added.

Tarsa's new duty is in the Office of the Chief of Staff in Washington, D.C.

Jones said West Point has a great leader following Tarsa.

"When we were choosing someone to head the West Point Garrison, Rideout's name was right on top," he said. "This Soldier comes well-equipped. If you name one hot spot in the world, he's been there. He also will lead with a great battle buddy in Command Sgt. Maj. Kevin Fauntleroy."

Fauntleroy, the incoming garrison command sergeant major, is a native of Brooklyn, N.Y. He enlisted in the Army in 1985 and graduated from Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training as an infantryman.

He attended Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., and later re-enlisted, reclassified and received additional training at Fort Lee, Va., as a supply and logistics specialist.

Fauntleroy served in a variety of units including service with the 4th Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment; 25th Infantry Division in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 82nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, N.C.; and many others.

He has deployed many times including operations in Panama, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Haiti, Somalia, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq.

He is a graduate of numerous NCO educational courses and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy.

On top of that, he holds an Associate of Arts degree in General Studies from Fayetteville Technical Community College and a Bachelor of Science degree in Liberal Arts from Excelsior College in Albany, N.Y. He has also recently completed his master's degree in Organizational Leadership in Business Management from Columbia Southern University.

Fauntleroy has been awarded the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal (two awards) and numerous foreign and service awards; Combat Infantryman's, Master Parachutist's and Air Assault Badges.

He also is a recipient of the Order of Saint Martin, Order of Saint Barbara, Order of Saint George and is a member of the Audie Murphy Club.

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