INSCOM welcomes Maj. Gen. Christopher Ballard as the new commanding general

By Ms. Melony Bagwell (INSCOM)June 28, 2016

U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) Change of Command
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Ballard (left) accepts the guidon from Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley Jr., U.S. Army deputy chief of staff for intelligence (G2), symbolizing the official passage of command of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSC... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM) Change of Command
2 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT BELVOIR, Virginia -- Members of the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command (INSCOM), as well as senior leaders and distinguished guests including some from our partner nations, gathered for a change of command ceremony at the Fort Belvoir Community Center, June 27.

Maj. Gen. Christopher S. Ballard, who previously served as the deputy assistant chief of staff, C/J-2, United Nations Command/Combined Forces Command, U.S. Forces Korea, Republic of Korea, took command from Maj. Gen. George J. Franz III during the ceremony.

"We are fortunate to welcome Chris and Michelle Ballard back to the INSCOM family," said Lt. Gen. Robert P. Ashley Jr., U.S. Army deputy chief of staff for intelligence (G2), and the ceremony's reviewing officer. "They are the perfect choice and there is no better successor to command this organization."

During his remarks, Ashley also spoke of the many INSCOM accomplishments under Franz.

"Know that during your tenure as INSCOM's commanding general you had a tremendously positive impact on the command, the military intelligence corps and the Army, but most importantly on the safety of all the service members in harm's way." said Ashley. "You made certain that combatant commanders, component commanders and theater commanders in Iraq and Afghanistan had ready and responsive intelligence forces to support their missions."

In his farewell speech, Franz, who is moving on to U.S. Cyber Command at Fort Meade, Maryland, thanked the INSCOM team for all their accomplishments during his time as commander.

"It has been an honor almost beyond words to have commanded the men and women of INSCOM these last 25 months," Franz said. "It is a privilege to have served with the incredibly talented and dedicated team of professionals."

After taking the podium, Ballard thanked Franz for building such a strong foundation and said he looks forward to being back in the INSCOM family.

"I am excited and proud to be a part of what INSCOM is doing today for Soldiers, our Army and our nation," Ballard said. "To the men and women of INSCOM I am thrilled and honored to rejoin your ranks and I promise you my very best."

Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, INSCOM is the Army's force for dominant intelligence in the land and cyberspace domains. INSCOM is made up of more than 17,500 Soldiers, Department of the Army civilians and contractors located at 180 locations in 40 countries around the globe.