Tropic Lightning Division welcomes Maj. Gen. Clark

By Pvt. Megan BarnesJanuary 12, 2018

Ha'a for the new commander
1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Passing the colors
2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Gary Volesky, I Corps commanding general, passes the 25th Infantry Division colors to the new Tropic Lightning commander, Maj. Gen. Ron Clark at Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks, Jan. 4. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Ian Ives, 25th Sustainment Br... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Aerial photo
3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – More than 5,000 25th Infantry Division Soldiers participated in the division's change of command Jan. 4 at Weyand Field, Schofield Barracks. Maj. Gen. Ron Clark assumed command from Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli. Cavoli has been nominated for promotio... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Outgoing commander
4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli leaves the field after relinquishing command during the 25th Infantry Division change of command at Weyand Field on Jan. 4. Cavoli served as the division's commander since August 2016. He will now continue his career in E... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Trooping the line
5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers from 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Soldiers stand at attention during the division's change of command at Weyand Field on Jan. 4 while Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, outgoing commanding general, and Maj. Gen. Ron Clark, inc... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Salute Battery
6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – U.S. Soldiers assigned to the Salute Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery Regiment, 25th Infantry Division Artillery, conduct honors during the 25th Infantry Division change of command at Weyand Field, Jan. 4, 2018. (U.S. Army photo by Staff ... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii - Soldiers, families and friends said farewell Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli, and welcomed Maj. Gen. Ronald P. Clark, during a change of command ceremony Jan. 4 at Weyand Field.

Cavoli, outgoing commanding general, 25th Infantry Division, relinquished command to Clark, during the ceremony hosted by Lt. Gen. Gary J. Volesky, commanding general, I Corps and Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.

"Maj. Gen. Cavoli's ability to train this division for combat has been the best I've seen," said Volesky. "Chris' ability to identify, shape, plan and execute key exercises - some with allied partners, others in the role as a unilateral Army war-fighting headquarters - prepared not only his subordinate units, but his entire headquarters to be the most combat-ready division in our Army."

Cavoli was able to strengthen partnerships across the Pacific while increasing the deployment readiness of his own troops through the Army's regional engagement program during Pacific Pathways rotations, Volesky said.

"It has been the high point of my time in the Army, and I hope I have fulfilled my task," Cavoli said.

The outgoing "Lightning 6" welcomed Clark to the 25th ID by recognizing he and his wife, Simona Clark, by their reputation of being thoughtful and positive leaders.

"To the Soldiers and families of the 25th Infantry Division and U.S. Army Hawaii, it is the greatest professional honor of my life to come home to Schofield Barracks and to serve in your ranks again," Clark said.

Clark is not new to the Tropic Lightning Division. He previously served as the commander of B Company, 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment, and as an aide-de-camp to the commanding general of the 25th Inf. Div.