A beautiful summer day greeted VIPs, guests and employees of Pine Bluff Arsenal to the Army Reserve Center July 2, as Col. David L. Musgrave, outgoing commander, relinquished command to Col. Chadwick T. Bauld.
The official party, Brig. Gen. Kristin K. French, Commanding General of the U.S. Army Joint Munitions Command, Musgrave and Bauld made their way to the stage. The National Anthem was sung by 1st Lt. Gretchen Gaskins, Aide-de-Camp to Brig. Gen. French, the invocation was present by Arsenal volunteer chaplain Rev. David Morgan, and color guard from the 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas National Guard presented the colors.
Bouquets of flowers were presented to Anita Musgrave, Col. Musgrave's wife, and to Sabrina Bauld, Col. Bauld's wife, by Beverly Tucker and Elizabeth Thomas. Special gifts were also presented to the Bauld's children, Alex, Madison, Jackson, Dashel and Sophia, from their father in appreciation for "their love and support they have given him".
"It's an honor for me to be here today in Southeast Arkansas," said French, welcoming local guests to the ceremony, including mayors and other military service members. "Thank you all for being with us here today."
French extended a welcome to both the Musgrave and Bauld families. "Change of command is a time-honored tradition. This ceremony is a symbolic change from one leader to another, and give the outgoing leader a chance to say goodbye, and the new leaders to say hello," she said.
During her speech, French recognized the workforce of the Arsenal as well as the accomplishments of Musgrave. "Your dedicated team effort is immeasurably appreciated. Dave (Musgrave) you have tackled the challenges of command and you made a difference," she said. "His strategic focus on future workload resulted in the Arsenal receiving new commitments from chemical-defense missions that will provide critical capabilities to our nation's military."
The Musgraves are headed to the Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C. area, where Col. Musgrave will be the Chief of the Combating Weapons of Mass Destruction Division, Joint Staff, J5, within the Strategic Plans Directorate at the Pentagon."The time that Anita and I have spent here in the Natural State is one that we will cherish for a lifetime," said Musgrave. "The Pine Bluff Arsenal workforce is hard-working and will ensure that our nation's organic industrial base will remain relevant and capable of supporting our military's requirements to defend our homeland, wherever and whenever, our country's leadership requires."
Musgrave said that the Arsenal has endured and will endure challenges as our nation's Army evolves. "As PBA proceeds into the future, keep up the drive to be efficient, continue to take pride in your work, your community and most of all yourselves. That will be the key ingredient in your success."
Bauld comes to the Arsenal as a recent graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, Pa. He was at the college from August 2013 to June 2014. His most recent joint service assignment includes Chief of Staff, CJTF Troy (C-IED) from October 2007 to August 2008; Chief of Operations, G3, 20th Support Command (CBRNE), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., from September 2008 to July 2009; and CBRN Chief, J5-SP, Joint Special Operations Command from July 2011, to June 2013. His previous command positions include Commander, 21st Chemical Company (Airborne), Fort Bragg, N.C., from October 2000 to May 2002 and Commander, 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., from July 2009 to June 2011. Joint service assignments include: CBRN Plans Officer, CJTF Troy (C-IED), Baghdad, Iraq from June 2007 to October 2007.
He is a native of Burke, S.D., and is a graduate of the United States Military Academy with a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Chemical Corps in May 1993. He has a Master of Science in Human Resource Administration from Central Michigan University and a Master's Degree in Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
"My family and are happy to be joining the Joint Munitions Command team. We will try our best to do good work for this Arsenal," said Bauld, as he thanked his family for all their love and encouragement. "I couldn't have made it here without you. I'm truly blessed with such a wonderful family and am looking forward to the next few years together. We are humbled to called "America's Arsenal" our home."
Bauld thanked members of the Arsenal workforce and everyone they had met for their hospitality. "You made our family feel welcome to this installation and we look forward to meeting each and every one of you and building on your great reputation," he said. "We are truly excited to be here and looking forward to the next two years."
The ceremony concluded with the playing of The Army Song and a reception for the Baulds at the Army Reserve Center.
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