FORT RILEY, Kansas -- His name is Paul Funk and he is a "Big Red One" Soldier. It's a sentiment heard often at the 1st Infantry Division in the last two years -- words that instilled pride in not only the Soldiers who echoed them, but community members who were reminded of their significance.
That phrase rang out across Fort Riley's Cavalry Parade Field for the last time Aug. 6 as Maj. Gen. Paul E. Funk II handed command of the division and post over to Maj. Gen. Wayne W. Grigsby Jr.
"I am immensely proud to have commanded such a fine outfit and to have been part of such an outstanding community," the outgoing general said, his voice shaking. "I will always be proud to say, 'My name is Paul Funk and I am a Big Red One Soldier.'"
Lt. Gen. Sean B. McFarland, commander of III Corps and Fort Hood, praised Funk's time as the division's 76th commanding general.
"Under Paul's leadership, the 1st Infantry Division has set the standard for III Corps in training, readiness and taking care of Soldiers and their families," McFarland said.
In the last two years, the division's focus was "living the BRO" -- brave, responsible and on point, Funk said.
"By adhering to the Pillars of the Division -- training, maintaining, morale, discipline and teamwork -- our division has done some truly amazing things," Funk said.
He went on to talk about the division's accomplishments, including the headquarters' recent nine-month deployment to Southwest Asia in support of Operation Inherent Resolve. Funk and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Grinston led the division headquarters, which formed the core of Combined Joint Forces Land Component Command-Iraq, making it responsible for advising and assisting Iraq's security forces and providing training to newly built Iraqi army units.
But amidst the numbers and facts, Funk kept going back to the people.
"It's not the days in life we remember," he said, "rather the moments."
"I remember the moment when I stepped off the plane in Baghdad," Funk said, "with the first units to return after U.S. forces left in 2011, realizing that while the place was familiar, everything had changed, but also knowing that I had the right team to get the mission done."
He talked about a moment with UK Brigadier Felix Gedney, then a division deputy commander, as they pinned a Purple Heart on Nate Rimpf, who lost both legs in Afghanistan. The first lieutenant looked up at the two generals and said, "This will not define me." And it didn't. Rimpf, now retired and a master's student at Duke University, pedaled a hand bike at the Army Ten-Miler two months after being injured. He ran it the next year.
"There are countless stories like Nate's," Funk said, "moments that inspire and show the true strength of our fighting men and women."
As one great commander left, McFarland said, "we open our arms to another."
Grigsby, a 30-year infantryman, served with the division when it was based in Germany, first as commander of the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment, and later as the division's operations and plans officer.
"Like Paul Funk, he has commanded at every level -- from platoon through brigade -- and he's excelled at all the toughest and most critical positions that an Army officer can hold."
Funk said he was leaving the division in capable hands.
"Wayne, you have the world's finest Soldiers under your command," he said. "They will take care of you like they have taken care of me."
Grigsby said he was honored to be part of the Big Red One and III Corps team.
He dedicated himself to leading in such a manner as to facilitate the continued training, readiness and resilience of an exceptional organization in a time of strategic uncertainty.
"When our country calls -- and it will call again -- the noblest and, in my opinion, the best division in the United States Army will be prepared to move to the sound of the gun."
Grigsby began his time in command of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley by echoing his predecessor: "I am honored and humbled today to be a Big Red One Soldier," he said, "brave and responsible and on point for our nation."
Social Sharing