KATTERBACH, Germany (July 18, 2013) -- After serving as the commander of U.S. Army Garrison Ansbach and the Franconia Military Community for two years, Col. Kelly J. Lawler turned over the reins to Col. Christopher M. Benson during a July 11 change of command ceremony outside the Von Steuben Community Center at Bismarck Kaserne.
Lawler passed the responsibilities of command and welcomed Benson, who recently served as the deputy chief of staff, engineer, for U.S. Army Europe. Kathleen Marin, Installation Management Command-Europe region director, participated in the ceremony and spoke of Lawler's accomplishments during his time as garrison commander.
"Kelly, when you first arrived here in July of 2011, the garrison and those indirect garrisons you lead looked much different than they do today," Marin said near the start of her remarks. "Indeed, with transformation and supporting combat units deploying to Afghanistan, one might liken your assumption of command with being given a 1,000-piece puzzle to put together with a blindfold. While this community and its indirect garrisons may seem rural and a bit out of the limelight sometimes, Kelly's command supports a key element of the U.S. Army Europe defense posture."
As the USAG Ansbach and FMC commander, Lawler oversaw 1,345 square miles encompassing more than 17 sites with more than 25,000 Soldiers, civilians and family members. Also during his time here, he and the team managed 15 construction projects totaling about $277 million and 184 sustainment projects together valued at approximately $28 million. The projects included the new post exchange and commissary complex, the newly constructed flagship Army lodge, child development centers, a physical fitness center, automotive skills facility, and medical and dental projects.
Marin said Lawler led this effort while lowering service contract costs 25 percent and setting the bar for a customer service satisfaction rate of 90 percent.
He rallied support for the Franconia Military Community concept, Marin continued, and tore down barriers between the garrisons.
"As the numbers tell, this is a thriving community," Marin said. "Kelly assessed all the parts of this community and, instead of seeing a liability and risks just as he always does, he saw only the opportunities. He had a vision to make Ansbach and its subordinate garrisons a team optimized for shared success. He knew that success meant supporting the mission units and, equally important, helping Soldiers and their family members live informed, rewarding lives while in Germany.
"But most importantly," Marin continued, "as wonderful as all of these buildings and all of these money issues are, Kelly and Mary focused on what really matters most: people. Kelly knows that the grassroots are where problems are identified and solved."
Marin cited the many times Lawler went out into the community during his community touch sessions, talking to people -- "but more importantly, listening to people," she said.
Marin praised the Lawlers for rallying support for the Franconia Military Community concept and tearing down the barriers between each of the three garrisons, and between the Army and the host-nation community. She also complimented their team approach to solving challenges that made "the single Soldier, the junior leader and young spouse stakeholders in the future of this community."
"Kelly, thank you for your inspired leadership and dedication not only to the mission, but to making people your priority in accomplishing the mission," she said.
Lawler spoke next and started off by taking advantage of the opportunity to thank a long list of people who were instrumental to his command success -- including host-nation partners who serve the community as movers and shakers; tactical unit leaders with whom Lawler stood shoulder to shoulder; members of the garrison staff including those who have and do serve as senior-enlisted advisers, deputy garrison commanders and directors; garrison and tactical unit Soldiers, family members, civilians and local national employees; fellow leaders across the FMC at USAG Schweinfurt and USAG Bamberg; key leaders and advisers at U.S. Army Europe and IMCOM-Europe; and, of course, his wife and four children for their hard work, support and their being "exceptionally understanding of the fact that when we moved here, our family grew by nearly 25,000 people."
Lawler then took a moment to reflect on what it means to be a leader, what the FMC team accomplished and what he has been most proud of during his command.
"We worked hard," Lawler said. "We challenged ourselves to provide a future as we forged a community versus a garrison concept. We proclaimed ourselves the Franconia Military Community, a concept that is marked by effective communications, common-sense leadership and treating others just how we would like to be treated. So, the answer to the question is, I am most proud of the action the team took in moving out on this concept. For, with action, there are risks and costs, but they are far less than the long-range risks of comfortable inaction."
Before passing the torch to Benson, Lawler thanked the community as a whole and gave a few parting thoughts.
"It has been the highest honor and privilege to command the United States Army Garrison Ansbach and the Franconia Military Community," Lawler said. "Community -- always remember that the word 'community' is made up of two important words: 'communicate' and 'unity.' As you continue to grow, remember to communicate with unity -- and not only you, but to Soldiers, families and civilians in the community, who will always benefit.
"I know we are leaving the community in great hands," Lawler told the new commander and his wife. "We wish you the best of luck and hope you will enjoy this assignment as much as Mary and I have," Lawler said. "Take care of your community, and it will take care of you."
Marin also gave credit to Benson for building "a reputation for impeccable integrity, intellectual strength and inspirational leadership."
Benson, who arrived to Ansbach from a position with USAREUR and by way of the U.S. Army War College in Carlisle, Pa., said he "could not be happier to be here," adding that commanding an installation and serving in Ansbach were his first choices for both type of command and location.
"The reputation of Ansbach and the entire Franconia Military Community is unbelievable," Benson told the hundreds in attendance. "Everyone we've spoken to who has ever lived here before has relayed nothing but wonderful things about Ansbach and Middle Franconia -- particularly its people, its beauty and its charm."
Of course, Benson said, he has taken on this mission during a challenging time that includes fiscal uncertainty, transition and transformation all while the Army is engaged in persistent conflict.
"There will be difficult times ahead," he said, "which will require difficult decisions to be made."
Benson said he's ready to meet these challenges head-on "with inspired leadership" and "with transparency as a team built on trust" as the FMC looks to "invest, divest and consolidate our resources to better meet the needs of, and do what's right for, our Army, this nation and our Soldiers, families and civilians while minimizing the impact on the readiness of our forces."
"I'm honored and privileged to be the new commander of USAG Ansbach and the Franconia Military Community," Benson added. "My family and I are excited for this opportunity to serve you, this community and our partners as we continue the great work that Kelly Lawler and Mary Lawler have done over the last two years. Kelly, Mary -- thank you for the smooth transition and more importantly for all you've done to maintain, sustain and improve this wonderful community and the communities of Schweinfurt and Bamberg."
Social Sharing