FORT BENNING, Ga., (Sept. 14, 2016) -- 1207th U.S. Army Hospital, a Reserve unit located at Fort Benning, cased their colors Sept. 10 at Brave Rifles Parade Field, signifying the unit's deactivation.
Col. Robert Campbell, the 7459th medical backfield battalion commander, Col. Jennifer Marrast-Host, the 1207th USAH battalion commander, and Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Moss, the 1207th USAH command sergeant major, led the ceremony.
"First and foremost, I want to thank you," Campbell said to the 1207th USAH. "I want to thank you for what you do for us every day, and I want to thank you for wearing the uniforms.
"I want to thank the families, because sometimes we forget that families sacrifice as much as we do," Campbell added.
Campbell explained that part of the reason for the deactivation is because of the changing needs of the Army.
"The U.S. Army Hospital concept was developed with the Reserves, right after the end of World War II.
As you can imagine, the threats that face our military and our country today are significantly different than they were 71 years ago," Campbell said. "As the Army changes, so must we. We are developing a force structure that better represents what we do and how we do it. It will be more modular, so it will be easier for us to respond and easier for us to deploy."
"The 1207th is a phenomenal unit, from its inception in Bronx, New York, to its deactivation here at Fort Benning," Marrast-Host said. "Remember the accomplishments of the unit as you heard from its colorful history."
Marrast-Host encouraged the Soldiers with the 1207th USAH to do their best moving forward and embrace the 7236th Medical Support Unit.
"Be medically, physically and educationally ready to meet current and future domestic and foreign contingency operations," Marrast-Host said. "Always remember to clearly communicate with each other, because it is only through effective communication that we accomplish all our goals."
After the deactivation ceremony, a change of responsibility ceremony was held for the 7236th Medical Support Unit. Maj. Dexter Mons, the outgoing commander, relinquished responsibility to the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Barbara Ousby.
"I am anticipating challenges and am looking forward to resolving each one with the assistance of each Soldier in this unit," said Ousby. "Communication will be our strongest weapon."
Social Sharing