A Pentagram one-on-one with JBM-HH's new deputy commander

Lt. Col. Eric W. Kelly is the fourth Marine to serve as the Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall deputy commander, following the departure of Lt. Col. John Orille in April. Kelly brings 24 years of experience, both enlisted and as an officer, to the position.

The married father of three is no stranger to change and embracing "opportunities to excel." He was raised in York, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Jacksonville, Florida, before enlisting in the Marine Corps in 1988. He served in the infantry and achieved the rank of corporal, before being commissioned from Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University in April 1996.

"I enjoyed my time being a noncommissioned officer, but I recognized I wanted the ability to influence not just at the tactical level," Kelly said.

Opportunities to influence entail a dynamic career that includes working joint assignments for the United Nations Command Military Armistice Commission in the Republic of Korea, the Afghanistan-Pakistan Hands (AFPAK) Program, as well as support of Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom.

Most recently, Kelly was assigned to the Pentagon for four years in Policy, Plans and Operations at Headquarters Marine Corps where he deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq as a part of the AFPAK Hands program.

"National Command Authority directives are translated into guidance at the Pentagon," Kelly said. "[The Pentagon] provides guidance, and sometimes it's called a puzzle because the pieces don't always fit nice and neat--through the course of an election cycle or changes in leadership--so ultimately the people that work in the Pentagon have to be adaptable to the ever changing environment."

In his new role at JBM-HH, Kelly has been completing what he called "getting out to the gun line." In other words, he's out meeting with individual JBM-HH directorates and staff members. When asked what he expects from JBM-HH staff and employees, he made it clear that customer service is a priority.

"I expect first-class service," Kelly said. "And I'm going out to meet the people who provide the services…the issues, the projects, to gain insight into the things that they are working on."

He also metaphorically likens communication among decision makers at JBM-HH to the relationship between drivers on a highway.

"The biggest thing that I try to leave people with is the requirement to talk--it's like being a driver on Interstate 95," Kelly said. "You can either be an aggressive driver and cause discontent, or you can be a courteous driver who helps smooth traffic flow."

Kelly is focused on making the commander's intent work, he said. That includes meeting with service members and civilians in the Army Corps of Engineers in regards to active construction on one of The Old Guard's barracks, a tour with Soldiers who comprise Headquarters Command Battalion, a visit to the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation programs offices, and leading staff meetings with directorate leaders at Bldg. 59.

"I get to meet the people, hear what they have to say and gain perspective to establish relationships," Kelly said. "[And] find out what buttons need to be touched in order to make things happen."

"You get opportunities here at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall that you're not going to get anywhere else," said Col. Mike Henderson, joint base commander during the annual JBM-HH Commander's Community Reception, at the Fort Myer Officers' Club where he formally introduced Kelly May 26 to an array of guests. "You know you're in a complex and unique place when you know exactly where you're going to park the president when he comes to visit you three or four times a year. That's just one aspect that makes this place unique, but also great."

But what keeps Kelly's service at JBM-HH in perspective is JBM-HH's close proximity to Arlington National Cemetery, he said.

"I have a lot of friends and comrades in arms [buried] over there--it helps put a lot of things in perspective," Kelly said. "When service members go down range, not everyone comes back [alive]. I recognize that this is a place that tries to close the loop for the families of service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice--someone's father, mother, son or daughter--the most precious commodity we have in this world helps keep life in perspective."

Kelly's personal awards include: the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three oak clusters, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, and the Combat Action Ribbon with two stars.