ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. -- The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Activity (CMA) held an Assumption of Command ceremony today to welcome COL James F. Reckard III as its new director.
Hosted by COL Milton G. Kelly, Chief of Staff for the U.S. Army Joint Munitions and Lethality Life Cycle Management Command and Joint Munitions Command (JMC), the event officially passed CMA leadership to COL Reckard, who will serve as the organization's second military leader.
"CMA provides a capability that supports the Army warfighter in the most unique way - to safeguard our homeland by storing, protecting, assessing and destroying our Nation's chemical weapons stockpile and recovered chemical weapons," COL Reckard said. "It is my pleasure to lead an organization with such unmatched knowledge and expertise."
COL Reckard joined CMA in July after serving as Chief of Full Dimension Protection for HQDA G8 at the Pentagon and concurrently as Chief of Staff for the Army Biosafety Task Force. His command positions throughout his career include the 23rd Chemical Battalion at Fort Lewis, Washington, and the 4th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.
COL Reckard's awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Ranger Tab, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
During the ceremony, COL Reckard thanked the CMA staff for their warm welcome to the Activity, as well as his family for their ongoing support.
He noted that his goal for CMA is to make readiness the number one priority as it continues to serve as the Army's experts in the management of chemical warfare materiel.
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