JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST- USASA, Fort Dix leadership marked the Army's 240th Birthday, yesterday, on Sharp Field with Soldiers standing in formation flanked by modern tactical vehicles and the traditional youngest and oldest Soldiers cutting the cake ceremony.
Col. Jeffrey Doll, the ASA, Fort Dix commander, said that first the day marked the 240th anniversary of the establishment of the U.S. Army. Second, it brings to a close the present Army's mission of mobilization and demobilization at the joint base, and highlighted "Americans serving other Americans" which makes up the military force.
As part of the commander's speech, Doll presented seven points to answer the question, "What is the Army?"
"The Army is the 187 Battle streamers that come down around the flag of the United States Army, what a majestic symbol. The Army is 1.1 million women, who service in our Active, Guard and Reserve today with honor and respect around the world," he said. "The Army is the 140,000 Soldiers committed and deployed or forward stationed in more than 140 countries supporting five named operations."
"The Army is the best trained, best equipped and best led force in the world…" he continued. The Army is Soldiers and civilians who protect our freedoms and allow Americans to live in safety and security. The Army is the force that defends our nation," he added.
As part of the ceremony, the ASA, Dix commander, along with the commanding general of the 99th Regional Support Command, Maj. Gen, Margaret Boor, and Command Sgt. Major Richard R. Anderson, the activity's top noncommissioned officer, witnessed the casing of the colors for the 1114th Mobilization Support Battalion and the 7236 Medical Support Unit. Soldiers of both organizations on Sharp Field are the last two organizations to support mobilization and demobilization.
The casing represented an end of mission for both organization before they end their active duty mission and return to the Army Reserve force rolls.
Over the last 14 years, beginning with the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on the U.S., Fort Dix, along with joint base partners supported six separate named operations for six combatant commanders' area of responsibility. The operations include Noble Eagle, Operation Enduring Freedom, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation New Dawn, Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Spartan Shield. In addition to personnel deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, other countries include the Philippines, Romania, Jordan, Germany, Honduras, the Sinai Peninsula, Poland and Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.
Military personnel and civilians have deployed 136,541 Soldiers and demobilized 92,148 Army personnel. The Army trained 18,260 joint sources training organization from the Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
While the event marked the present mobilization and demobilization mission, personnel continue to stand ready for the next contingency operation. ASA, Fort Dix continues to serve as a training platform to meet joint military training requirements and is expected to provide the training facilities and ranges for nearly 1.2 million man-days of training this year.
Col Doll closed by paying tribute to many organizations that supported and provided assistance to deploying service members.
"The patriotic organizations and Americans did their part in making life a little bit easier, a little bit more comforting and a little bit more like home to the 283,000 service members who transitioned through here," he said.
"Ladies and gentleman, it has always been and it should always be about Americans serving other Americans," he added.
Soon after, the commander's speech, Anderson led a rendition of Happy Birthday to the Army as Soldiers and guests joined in with the song. Surrounded by Dix and 99th leadership, First Sgt. Charles Beck, the most mature Soldier, and Spc. Courtney Williams, the youngest, cut the ceremonial cake.
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