FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Fort Rucker welcomed a new deputy to the commanding general during a ceremony at the U.S. Army Aviation Museum May 22.
William G. Kidd assumed responsibility as he took the civilian oath of office administered by Maj. Gen. William K. Gayler, U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence and Fort Rucker commanding general.
In his duties, Kidd will assess and implement the commanding general's strategic vision to integrate and align key organizational and program goals, priorities and resourcing to successfully enable mission accomplishment, a task that Gayler said he has full confidence in his new deputy to carry out.
"When the interview process happened, I knew instantly that Bill Kidd was right for this job," said the commanding general during the ceremony. "He is genuine, and very, very candid and clear about what he is good at and what he wants to work on. I'm thrilled that we have you and [your wife,] Kim here with us as part of this community."
Kidd comes to Fort Rucker from his most recent assignment as the director of Forces, Resources and Assessment (J8) for Headquarters, U.S. Forces Korea, where he was responsible for advocating for future capabilities and forces to accomplish U.S. Forces Korea's mission, which Gayler said was an invaluable asset.
"If you look at his resume, Bill's resume reads like a roadmap that you would expect in the development of a senior leader of large organizations," said the commanding general. "He has held enormous jobs in our Army and out of the green uniform. He is very familiar with this part of the world, and no stranger to the military and what we do."
Kidd is also a retired Army colonel and his other past assignments include serving in the Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management, Headquarters, Department of the Army, in Washington, D.C., from 2009-2014.
"I am humbled, honored and excited to be standing in front of you as the new deputy to the commanding general," he said. "I intend to start my term by upholding the two Army traditions that determine successful incoming leaders -- be brief and don't trip over the national colors on the way back to your seat.
"General Gayler, I'm explicitly aware of the trust and confidence you have placed in me with this incredible opportunity -- thank you," said the deputy to the commanding general. "I will do my utmost to uphold the proud tradition of the Army Aviation Center and its mission of the last 63 years, which is to develop and ready the Army Aviation force to deal with the increasing chaos and complexity that the world presents today."
With Kidd's extensive knowledge having worked both in and out of the Army, Gayler said he is a welcome and essential part of the Fort Rucker team.
"Our Army has a lot of things going on. There is so much work being done, and we are blessed to have the finest people on the face of the Earth working tough jobs here at Fort Rucker," said Gayler. "I'm very, very proud of each and every one of you for what you do for our nation. Our nation depends on you and you come through every day with flying colors, and I know that will continue with Bill and Kim as part of the team here."
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