REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Significant Army career milestones don't always come with pomp and circumstance, especially not in the life of a junior officer.
So, when Capt. Christopher Colbert, outgoing commander of the Aviation and Missile Command's Headquarters and Headquarters Co., was honored June 9 during a change of command ceremony complete with comments from the Aviation and Missile Command's Chief of Staff Col. Sheila Bryant, music by the Army Materiel Command's Arsenal Brass Quintet and the national anthem sung by AMCOM employee Sonya Mapp, his parting comments reflected his appreciation.
"I'm kind of sad this has to be farewell," Colbert said. "Not many captains get to thank a band for their performance at his change of command. The Arsenal Brass Quintet brings instant legitimacy to this ceremony. Not many captains get the national anthem sung at their ceremony. To (AMCOM) Protocol, I say thank you for putting this ceremony together."
Colbert celebrated his 10th anniversary as an Army officer about a week before his farewell at the AMCOM HHC Change of Command ceremony, which welcomed incoming HHC commander Maj. Curt Schultheis.
"Ten years, ago last week I was commissioned," he said.
"Nine years ago, I was qualified as a helicopter pilot. Eight years ago, I deployed to Iraq and five years ago, I deployed to Afghanistan. Four years ago, I took command of my first company. It's been pretty fast and furious this four years. But I wouldn't trade my time in command for anything."
In those four years, Colbert has had three command assignments. He took a break in those assignments when he came to AMCOM 18 months ago to serve as the aide-de-camp first to AMCOM's previous commander, now retired Maj. Gen. Lynn Collyar, and then to AMCOM's current commander, Maj. Gen. Jim Richardson. In June 2014, he went on to command AMCOM HHC.
"As a commander, you have the instant ability to constantly make change. You can fix situations or you can fix Soldiers. You have the ability to make things right," Colbert said.
One advantage he had while working within the AMCOM organization, he said, was being able to work daily with a "wide variety of extremely intelligent and talented people. They have been role models for the kind of person and Soldier I want to become … They dive in head first in seemingly impossible tasks and they never take 'no' for an answer. They keep working until they get to 'yes' and the goal is obtained."
And, as he learned about the AMCOM mission, resources and capabilities, he also experienced, while at HHC, the human resources aspect of ensuring that Soldiers fulfill their HR requirements, receive the benefits they have earned and are deployment ready. Colbert relied on a staff of four assistants -- James Taylor, Derek Gibson, Staff Sgt. Cynthia O'Connor and 1st Sgt. Joseph Thomas -- to manage the HR requirements for more than 600 Soldiers located in 33 units and five states.
Colbert's tenure at HHC was "marked by excellence and an honest interest with Soldiers in our predominately civilian workforce," said AMCOM chief of staff Bryant. "You are reliable, trustworthy, dedicated, humble. Thanks for a job well done."
As a newly commissioned officer 10 years ago, Colbert gave himself three goals -- to do the right thing always, to do the right thing to the best of his ability and to never quit. The employees he worked with at AMCOM -- their integrity and professionalism -- continues to motivate him to reach for those goals.
"During the time I've been here, my best had gotten a little bit better," Colbert said. "The integrity I've seen here is just contagious. It's made me a better Soldier, a better officer and a better leader … Thank you for what you do on a daily basis. It will not only keep me doing my job, but it will also let me continue to do what I love -- training Soldiers and flying helicopters."
Colbert also mentioned his wife, Abby, who as Dr. Abigail Raez served as an Army flight surgeon before leaving military service to be a mom to their two young sons, Connor and Joey. She currently also serves as an emergency room physician.
"She has sacrificed a lot for me to be where I am in the Army today," Colbert said.
The Colbert family will be moving on to Montgomery, where Colbert will attend the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell Air Force Base before going on to his next assignment.
New HHC commander Schultheis, who previously worked for the Army Contracting Command/Expeditionary Contracting Command, also enjoyed the ceremony that welcomed him to AMCOM. He and his wife Janna and their two young daughters "look forward to this next chapter in our lives … Thank you for this tremendous welcome to this outstanding organization."
Prior to the change of command ceremony, Colbert was presented with the Meritorious Service Medal by AMCOM commander Richardson.
"I couldn't imagine doing this job (as HHC commander) when just about everybody outranks you," said Richardson, referring to the numerous high-ranking officers whose assignment at Redstone Arsenal causes them to be part of AMCOM HHC's responsibility for all Soldier personnel services, including Army physical fitness testing, and all in-processing and out-processing services.
Following training at Maxwell AFB, Colbert will once again be assigned to an Army aviation unit.
"I look for great things for this family in the future," Richardson said.
"Thank you for your service to Redstone Arsenal. You are a quiet professional who always gets the job done. There's not a lot of fanfare. You just get the job done."
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