FORT LEE, Va. (July 16, 2015) -- Brig. Gen. Kurt J. Ryan took charge of the Ordnance Corps and School during an assumption of command ceremony Friday on Whittington Field, Ordnance Campus. He is the 39th Chief of Ordnance.
Ryan replaced Brig. Gen. John F. Haley, who departed Fort Lee last month to take Ryan's command at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. Col. Mark Migaleddi, the Ordnance School assistant commandant, served as the acting director during the transition.
Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Lyons, CASCOM and Fort Lee commanding general, recognized Migaleddi for his efforts in between the two chiefs.
"I would like to thank our assistant commandant, Col. "Migs" Migaleddi for an exceptional job as acting commandant -- we'll call him 38.5," said Lyons. "He was the acting (commandant) since Haley departed a few weeks ago to replace Ryan … and the Ordnance Corps has never missed a beat. Thank you for your continued leadership, Migs."
Turning to the new chief, Lyons had nothing but praise for the corps' newest leader.
"We could not have hoped for a more talented or committed leader to serve as the 39th Chief of Ordnance than Brig. Gen. Kurt Ryan.
Lyons and Ryan have crossed paths during their Army careers many times, and Lyons said he knows from experience Ryan will do a great job.
"There is no one more qualified to be a representative to TRADOC and advocate for the Ordnance Corps than General Ryan," he said. "The Army desires innovative, adaptive, competent and committed leaders of character, and in my mind, I think of Kurt Ryan. He's a naturally curious thinker and an incredible team builder who brings out the best in people. I can't wait to see the ordnance version of his warriors. He's reliable in his word and his deeds.
"He has a huge fan club, and I am among his top fans," continued Lyons. "I can't imagine anyone else more qualified to be the 39th."
Ryan said he is excited to serve as the top ordnance officer.
"I am extremely humbled and proud to stand on this parade field today and serve as your 39th Chief of Ordnance," he said. "I am truly honored to return to the "home of ordnance" -- our newest gathering place of sustained and continued ordnance history and legacy -- the place we reflect on our past and build our future."
Ryan said he is looking forward to preparing for the future of the Ordnance Corps.
"We will address any challenge our corps faces through a continuous campaign of learning; developing solutions that will enhance the combat effectiveness of the current and future sustainment war-fighting force," he said. "I fully embrace my responsibilities as the Chief of Ordnance and commandant of this wonderful system of ordnance schools; supporting our total force.
"I look forward to leveraging all of our outstanding available proving grounds: proving grounds for agile, creative and adaptive leaders; proving grounds for exceptional war-fighting and Soldier-safety materiel and technology development; and proving grounds for doctrine development and experimentation -- a place where we can test and train in peace, so we are prepared to do our nation's bidding, when called."
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