ECC welcomes new commander

By Mr. Larry D Mccaskill (Army Contracting Command)August 7, 2014

ECC welcomes new commander
Maj. Gen. Ted Harrison (second from right), Army Contracting Command commanding general, passes the Expeditionary Contracting Command colors to incoming commander Col. Michael Hoskin during the ECC Assumption of Command ceremony Aug. 1 at Redstone Ar... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Col. Michael Hoskin assumed command of the Expeditionary Contracting Command here, Aug. 1. Hoskin succeeds Bryan Samson, who has served as ECC executive director since Oct. 2, 2013.

Maj. Gen. Ted Harrison, Army Contracting Command commanding general, welcomed Hoskin during the assumption of command ceremony and charged him with continuing the tradition of contracting excellence within the organization.

"The Expeditionary Contracting Command is the type of organization that attracts great leaders," said Harrison in front of the more than 150 Soldiers, civilians and guests during a ceremony on the Army Materiel Command parade field.

"Today is a day where the Army Contracting Command has found itself in a win-win situation. The Expeditionary Contracting Command welcomes an outstanding Soldier as we say goodbye to an outstanding leader who has certainly put his stamp on the organization. The good thing though, is he (Samson) will literally be footsteps away."

Hoskin is no stranger to ECC. Prior to his previous position as director, Operational Contract Support and Services Division, J-4, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, he served as the 413th Contracting Support Brigade commander at Fort Shafter, Hawaii. Hoskin has been selected for promotion to brigadier general.

"Debby and I are humbled and excited at being given this opportunity to command ECC and be back in the AMC family," said Hoskin. "This is the premier contracting organization that has been very successful in its short, five-year history and -- by the way -- is the only expeditionary contracting capability of its kind across the Department of Defense enterprise. I will continue to build upon the hard work of AMC, ACC and my predecessors to continue to construct critical acquisition and contracting capabilities for our Army and Joint Forces."

Samson, who also served as the first deputy to the ECC commanding general, will remain a part of ACC.

"I know of very few civilians who have had the honor of accepting the colors of an Army command and think it unlikely that such an honor will be afforded me again," Samson said.

"Having the opportunity to lead the global ECC team, comprised of military, (Department of the Army) Civilian and foreign local national personnel was truly a great privilege for me. I know Mike's positive energy and many talents will shape the ECC in ways that enable long-term relevancy to the operational force and that continue to advance operational contract support effects across the Army and joint mission landscapes."

ECC is a major subordinate command of ACC; both are headquartered at Redstone Arsenal. The one-star command is organized to accomplish its global operational missions through its nine contracting support brigades, 17 contingency contracting battalions, 16 senior contingency contracting teams and 92 contingency contracting teams.

Related Links:

More photos from the ceremony

Video: Assumption of Command

Video: Col. Hoskin's Remarks