Wiggins promoted, assumes command of Army North

By Luis DeyaSeptember 6, 2013

Army North changes command
1 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Annette Wiggins (left), wife of Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, looks down the row at their family during a change-of-command ceremony, Sept. 4, 2013, in the historic Quadrangle on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Wiggins, who previously served as the deputy command... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army North changes command
2 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins receives the U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) colors from Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV as he assumes command while Command Sgt. Maj. Hu Rhodes looks, Sept. 4, 2013, during a change-of-command ceremony held in the historic Quadrangl... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army North changes command
3 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins, the newest commanding general for U.S. Army North (Fifth Army) and senior commander for Fort Sam Houston, Texas, and Camp Bullis, gives a heartfelt speech during his change-of-command ceremony, Sept. 4, 2013, in the historic Q... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army North changes command
4 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Perry Wiggins, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army North (Fifth Army), smiles as his father, Lamar, and wife, Annette, tackle pinning lieutenant general rank on him during his promotion ceremony, Sept. 4, 2013, at the historic Quadrangle o... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Army North changes command
5 / 5 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV (left), Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., and Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins salute the colors, Sept. 4, 2013, during a change-of-command ceremony held in the historic Quadrangle on Fort Sam Houston, Texas. Caldwell departs command of Fif... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (Sept. 5, 2013) -- Lt. Gen. Perry Wiggins took command of Army North (Fifth Army), Sept. 4, from Lt. Gen. William Caldwell IV, during a change-of-command ceremony at the historic Quadrangle on Fort Sam Houston.

As the commanding general of Army North, Wiggins is also the senior commander of Fort Sam Houston and Camp Bullis. Caldwell has served as the commanding general since Dec. 30, 2011.

Before Wiggins could assume command, there was one thing he had to do ... get formally promoted to lieutenant general.

The ceremony, which took place right before the change of command, was presided over by Caldwell. This was Caldwell's last official duty as commanding general, U.S. Army North.

Caldwell said that Wiggins' promotion gave him confidence in the Army's leadership.

"When people like you are selected, Soldiers who are well-rounded, with true integrity, deep character, passion for the mission ... I feel confident that we will be better than we've ever been," he said.

The change-of-command ceremony was presided over by Gen. Charles Jacoby Jr., commanding general of North American Aerospace Defense Command and U.S. Northern Command.

As tradition dictates, Caldwell relinquished command by passing the unit's colors, which symbolizes command, to Jacoby, who then passed it to Wiggins, thus endowing him with the authority of command, and formally recognizing him as the commanding general of Army North.

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