CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA -- The National Ground Intelligence Center welcomed its incoming commander and paid tribute to the departing commander at a change of command ceremony in Nicholson Auditorium, Charlottesville, Va., July 23.
Col. Nichoel E. Brooks assumed the title of commander from the outgoing commander, Col. Stephen C. Gomillion, who served the center since 2011.
The host of the program was Maj. Gen. Stephen G. Fogarty, commanding general, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, Fort Belvoir, Va.
During his remarks, Fogarty said that the NGIC has been well led by Gomillion, who has fostered a climate of collaboration and teamwork within the center, across the intelligence community and within intergovernmental agencies.
"The NGIC, its Soldiers, civilians and contractors are one of the crown jewels in the Department of Defense's analytic enterprise. You provide the doctorate-level intelligence support on the ground threat for the Department of Defense, field commanders, research development communities and national policy makers. You set the standard every day as you conduct extremely complex and time sensitive operations as part of a joint, intergovernmental, interagency and multi-national team," Fogarty said. "You do this at a level of proficiency most other organizations can only dream about."
The NGIC provides 24/7 support to individuals forward in combat zones or decision makers directly affecting the lives of those downrange, Fogarty added.
"This organization spans the range from space to mud to answer the requirements of our ground commanders. You provide the ability to effectively leverage national capabilities to support our ground commanders," he said. "The NGIC not only supports today's mission, but also has reached out and integrated with other organizations to create a clear vision and purpose post 2014."
Teamwork is a key element to success in intelligence and those who fail to collaborate and work as a team will quickly become irrelevant, Fogarty said. He then officially welcomed Brooks to INSCOM and extended best wishes on her new command.
"I know you will serve the NGIC well with your outstanding experience and leadership and I am absolutely confident in your success," Fogarty said. "This organization, its mission and most importantly, its people, is unlike any other in the Army and I know that you will employ the positive leadership required to successfully lead this workforce."
During Gomillion's remarks, he said being a commander at the NGIC reinforced the importance of relationships and servant leadership.
"The quality of our behavior matters in every conversation, in every interaction, in
every relationship," Gomillion said. "True leadership means vigilant attention to the quality of our behavior, vigilant attention to the interpersonal and the human side of our work because it is through relationships that trust is built and through open exchanges we inspire confidence in each other."
That confidence built the foundation for delivering collaborative, all-source intelligence keeping pace with evolving intelligence community and warfighter priorities, always providing the intelligence assessments required for leadership to address the complex range of foreign threats facing our force and our nation, Gomillion added.
Gomillion concluded his remarks by wishing Brooks, a great future at the NGIC and in Charlottesville, despite the challenges ahead.
"You are weathering one of the most turbulent fiscal challenges in years with seamless continuity of operations to our fighting forces, and on a diminishing budget," Gomillion said. "You have an enormous task ahead, but I am confident you will embrace these challenges with the breadth and depth of expertise and professionalism you have shown in the past."
Brooks said she was grateful for the opportunity to return to INSCOM, humbled to be a member of the United States Army and honored to lead this accomplished organization.
"NGIC has always been and will remain a highly agile and adaptive organization that will stand unyielding in times of crisis as it supports our great Army and our warfighting commanders," Brooks said. "This organization's ability to identify complex challenges, develop tactical solutions and drive innovation has been nothing short of extraordinary."
Brooks said the change of command is more than just about changing riders; it is about using these opportunities to reflect on the direction of the organization and gain a clearer understanding of the changes that lie ahead.
"We have learned over the course of the past decade that intelligence is the single most important enabler for confronting 21st Century threats. Our nation will continue to be tested," Brooks said. "The challenges we face are real and as we enter a time of globalization and asymmetric threats, it is our strength in partnerships that will be critical; our integration and collaboration vital; and our intelligence sharing a key force multiplier."
Social Sharing