Gen. David Rodriguez proceeds to give his final speech as commander of U.S. Army Forces Command, March 15, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Rodriguez served 18 months as commander of FORSCOM. Rodriguez will serve as commander of U.S. Africa Command, Stuttgart ...

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Army's largest organization closed another chapter today as Gen. David M. Rodriguez relinquished command of U.S. Army Forces Command as he departs for Germany and command of U.S. Africa Command.

The ceremony, hosted by Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, recognized FORSCOM's overall mission, Rodriguez's efforts throughout his tenure and what is yet to come for the organization.

FORSCOM is the Army's largest command, responsible for providing a sustained flow of trained and ready forces to combatant commanders at home and abroad.

"During the past 18 months, since Gen. Rodriguez has been in command, FORSCOM has prepared and deployed a corps headquarters, four division headquarters, 30 brigade combat teams, 28 functional and 24 multifunctional brigade-size formations and battalion task forces," said Odierno.

Throughout Rodriguez's tenure, he assisted in the development of a training strategy that better fit the shift from security assistant teams to security force assistant brigades, Odierno said.

Odierno stated that during a recent visit to Afghanistan it was because of those strategies that the Afghanistan (National) Army is becoming a fully capable force - due to having "the right people training the right people."

Rodriguez said his and the (FORSCOM) headquarters success is a direct reflection of the leadership within the corps, divisions and brigades.

"Whatever the requirement, FORSCOM units are at the tip of the spear, developing and implementing solutions to challenges facing America's army and meeting the requirements of the nation," said Rodriquez.

The change, or transition, of leadership does not reflect a change of readiness for FORSCOM.