Pillsbury advances

By Felicia Thompson, AMC Public AffairsDecember 17, 2008

Pillsbury advances
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Bold, loving and sensible are just a few of the words used to describe the new deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Materiel Command during a promotion ceremony conducted at AMC headquarters at Fort Belvoir, Va., Dec. 15.

Maj. Gen. James H. Pillsbury was promoted to lieutenant general in the presence of many friends, family, colleagues, and mentors. One of those people is the newly promoted four-star general, Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody, commanding general of AMC.

Dunwoody presided over the ceremony and said it was a great day for our Army and for AMC because of Pillsbury's advancement.

"Today will go down as a very special day for our Army because we are promoting a great leader and a Soldier of passion, purpose and principle," Dunwoody said. "[You] are a respected logistician, a first-class aviator, a master communicator, and, most important to me - a valued friend."

Friendship and saying "thank you" to many of the non-commissioned officers, who have helped Pillsbury over the last 35 years become the leader he is today, were central themes in his acceptance speech. The speech also provided insight as to the type of leader he will be and the expectations he has of the AMC staff whose job it is to care for the warfighter out in the field. Pillsbury referenced an enlisted Soldier who relies on AMC's Soldiers and civilians to complete their mission.

"I always think about Sgt. 1st Class Dalton before I sign anything. Only bring a piece of paper in to me to sign if it helps Sgt. Dalton do his job in the motor pool or on the flightline, then I'll sign it," Pillsbury said. "You must have that Soldier in your thoughts at all times. You do, and that's the power of this organization."

Pillsbury also acknowledged and thanked the many AMC's civilian staff members present at the ceremony.

"The strength of our organization is its civilian leadership because you all do the heavy lifting each and every day," Pillsbury said. "We have the best of the best working for AMC."

Pillsbury stressed his vision for AMC as he concluded his speech: "We are going to continue to push this readiness enterprise ... and make this materiel life cycle enterprise work best for Sgt. Dalton because Sgt. Dalton deserves it. Not because it's something new and change is going to have to happen anyway, it's because our nation is looking for us to do it and Gen. Dunwoody has given us the azimuth."

Pillsbury assumed the duties as deputy commanding general of AMC on Dec. 8.

Related Links:

Army Materiel Command Web site

Pillsbury confirmed for 3rd star

Lt. Gen. James H. Pillsbury's official biography