Redstone Arsenal, Ala. -- On a breezy Thursday morning, the Army said adieu to a 28-year veteran who has made God, family and country his life's priorities.
Col. Pat Sullivan retired during the traditional Army change of command and retirement ceremony held at the Army Materiel Command's parade field. Sullivan, who has served three years as the commander of AMC's Logistics Support Activity, turned over command of LOGSA to Col. Chuck Salvo, who most recently served as executive officer to the executive deputy to AMC's commander.
As Army flags fluttered in the breeze, officiating officer Maj. Gen. Gustave Perna, deputy chief of staff of AMC's G-3/4 (Operations/Logistics), commended Sullivan for leading LOGSA through times of tribulation and success, and welcomed Salvo as a "remarkable addition" that will take LOGSA to the next level.
He described Sullivan as a Soldier, officer, leader, coach, teacher and mentor who has been "on full throttle since day one."
Listing the Army values, Perna said Sullivan is a Soldier who lived by those values throughout his career.
"He is the model that we should all exemplify," the major general said.
During his career, Sullivan has served at three command levels while at war -- company, battalion and brigade.
Sullivan's logistics quartermaster career has included serving as the special assistant to the commanding general, Army Materiel Command (Strategic Communications). Other assignments include multiple command positions in the 82nd Airborne Division, including commander, C Company, 407th Supply and Transport Battalion during Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm; chief of the Division Materiel Management Center, and deputy commander, 82nd Airborne Division Support Command. During two deployments to Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-04, he served as chief of staff for the 82nd Airborne Division Rear Command Post, and as commander of the 782nd Main Support Battalion. He deployed to Iraq again in 2008-09 as the commander of the 402nd Army Field Support Brigade. His other postings include: Fort Lee, Va.; Australia; Hawaii; Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; and West Point, N.Y.
At LOGSA, Sullivan oversaw the work of 600 military, civilian and contractor employees who were responsible for the Army's logistics information, and using that information to support the war fighter in the field and to assist Army leadership in strategic planning.
LOGSA provides life-cycle logistics information, knowledge and expertise of the Army's weapon systems maintenance, readiness, supply, transportation, equipment authorizations and asset visibility. The organization uses the automated Logistics Integrated Database to provide its Army customers and Department of Defense leaders with logistics data, information and analysis that is used to make decisions in supporting war fighter readiness. LOGSA's support has been particularly essential in the buildup, sustainment and drawdown of the war efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Perna said not a day goes by without a general officer or commander making a compliment that "reflects on the excellence of the Logistics Support Activity."
He mentioned some of LOGSA's accomplishments while Sullivan has been in command, including a 30 percent increase in software efficiency, and a $100 million savings realized through LOGSA's support of the Army's management and integration of equipment.
Sullivan said the dedication and commitment of LOGSA's employees "exceeded my greatest expectations" as they performed some of the "most incredible missions" in support of the war fighter during his tenure.
For Sullivan, commanding LOGSA and representing the organization to the Army was the pinnacle in a career filled with opportunity and pride.
"My name is Pat Sullivan and I am an American Soldier. I am honored to represent an organization that serves as the foundation of this great nation," said the Army career officer, who joined the military in 1982.
"I am compelled to express how the Army has provided me with a place to nurture and grow … and provided opportunities that fostered a desire to serve."
He mentioned great peers, wise mentors, exceptional bosses, incredible war fighters and supportive family members who helped him throughout his Army career as he strived to make "God, family and country" his priorities. And, he joked, about how his two sons came to believe "we can move anywhere in the world in 18 hours. Wheels up!"
In closing, he thanked the Army for "the opportunity to serve one of our nation's most prestigious institutional organizations."
In his introduction as the new LOGSA commander, Salvo described his new assignment as "an awesome opportunity and privilege to command this organization."
Salvo, also a quartermaster logistics officer, served in Operation Desert Storm/Shield as a company commander and battalion S3 with the 82nd Airborne Division. With the 3rd Infantry Division, he commanded the 203rd Forward Support Battalion/Brigade Support Battalion for 36 months and led the organization through two Operation Iraqi Freedom tours, and transformed the organization from a forward support battalion to a brigade support battalion of five companies and more than 1,200 Soldiers. His career has also included an assignment at the Pentagon Logistics as the director of force integration and joint concepts, and command of the Army and Air Force Exchange for 36 months, during which he led the organization through the drawdown in Iraq, the surge in Afghanistan and the transformation in Europe.
Salvo talked about his assignment at AMC, where he worked for John Nerger, who, as executive deputy to AMC's commander, is the organization's top civilian leader.
"He is the type of leader who makes you want to come to work every day and do more for AMC. I learned so much from him," Salvo said.
"I was truly fortunate to be Mr. Nerger's executive officer. I am also fortunate to have the honor and privilege to be a part of this great LOGSA team. I come to LOGSA by way of the headquarters AMC staff -- try not to hold that against me - -and I am a much better officer having had the opportunity to serve in this great command."
He commended the work of Sullivan and the LOGSA team, and said he is impressed with the work LOGSA has done to support the war fighter.
"They leverage the Logistics Information Warehouse to provide revolutionary logistical support such as the logistics modernization program and the decision support tool, which allows the Army to build combat power faster and more efficient than ever before," he said.
And that's the kind of team Salvo is looking forward to being a part of.
Social Sharing