FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 10, 2014) -- Fort Benning and the Maneuver Center of Excellence formally welcomed the new Armor School commandant and 49th Chief of Armor Brig. Gen. Dennis "Scott" McKean during a ceremony Sept. 5 at Derby Auditorium.
McKean comes to Fort Benning having most recently served as the deputy commanding general (operations) of the 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss, Texas. During that assignment, McKean served in the most recent of his seven deployments, an eight-month tour in Jordan.
"The world continues to be a dangerous place," McKean said. "I did just return from Jordan, and I can tell you what I watched everyday for the last eight months was an enemy who doesn't follow the rules and is basically a professional force that will require a professional force to defeat it. It's the Soldiers we're training here everyday who are going to go out and do that. Our sons and daughters are in our hands, and that's a responsibility I don't take lightly."
McKean's awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Combat Action Badge, the Senior Parachutist Badge and the Ranger and Sapper tabs.
The ceremony also held special significance for McKean due to its location. Derby Auditorium is named for Lt. Col. Garnet Derby, who was killed in action in Iraq in February 2009.
McKean said he counted Derby as a close friend, and said he will have Derby in mind as he guides the Armor School during a period of transition throughout the Army.
"It is truly an honor for me personally to be in this hall," McKean said. "This really provides me more inspiration to join here with (MCoE commanding general) Maj. Gen. Scott Miller and a good friend in (Infantry School commandant) Brig. Gen. James Rainey as we lead during a time of transition.
"As a commander of an ABCT and deputy commanding general of an Armored division, I've seen where we are as a force, and I look forward to trying to develop our forces to meet the challenges that are in our future. It's a time of transition, and transitions are the hardest thing we do, so we'll have to maintain the capabilities that are required for the environment we're currently in while still maintaining the foundations of our maneuver force."
With McKean's arrival, Miller said he is excited about the team now assembled at Fort Benning.
"As I start looking at this team and start watching it stack up, I just have to smile because I think it's a pretty impressive team," Miller said. "War is always complicated. The future is right now. As we look at the challenges that are out there, the future is right now. I can't think of a better senior team. I've got the pick of the litter here. ... The Soldiers, not just in the Armor community, but here at the MCoE, are real lucky to have (McKean) here."
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