FORT BRAGG, N.C.--Brig. Gen. Ronald T. Stephens, deputy commander of Regional Health Command-Pacific (Provisional) was promoted from the rank of Col. at Fort Bragg's Main Post Flag Pole, May 10.
Stephens has spent a large portion of his military career at Fort Bragg, most recently as the commander of Womack Army Medical Center from May 27, 2014 to Jan. 8, 2016.
"Even the consideration for a promotion like this is an incredible honor; to actually have it happen is just beyond belief. I owe so much to the Army and this community. I stand before you very humble, very meek and very blessed to be here," said Stephens.
Lt. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, commanding general, XVIII Airborne Corps and Fort Bragg, hosted the event and promoted Stephens along with the Stephens Family.
"Achieving the rank of brigadier general is a pretty incredible feat. It's a series of rare miracles that occur for an officer to make it," said Townsend. "All jokes aside, this really reflects the performance and the potential of Ron Stephens, but also on a strong cast of supporting folks as well: Family members, his spouse, comrades in arms, superiors who mentor us along the way, and subordinates; especially the non-commissioned officers."
During the ceremony, Stephens' Family members presented him with his new brig. gen. rank insignia, a general officer belt, his new beret, a one-star license plate and unfurled Stephens' personal one-star general officer flag to be posted in his office as a part of traditional customs and courtesies.
"Thank you," said Stephens. "I've said thanks to the Army and I also want to thank everyone who had anything to do with this ceremony. I love you, I say that to everyone here because you belong in one of my three families; the family I was born into, the family I was sworn into or the family I was vowed into."
I love serving in the Army. I love Soldiers, I love being around Soldiers, I love Soldiering and I can't imagine doing anything less. When I mention those that are serving, I'm not just talking about the Soldiers, I'm talking about the DA Civilians, the husbands and the wives, the kids, the moms, the dads, aunts, uncles, the cousins and everybody else who supports their Soldier," said Stephens.
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