PICATINNY ARSENAL, N.J. - Two years to the day after Lt. Col. Jeffrey Ivey assumed command of the Picatinny Arsenal garrison, he relinquished his duties to Lt. Col. Samuel W. Morgan III, who was welcomed to the Picatinny family during a ceremony held on the same day as the U.S. Army's 243rd birthday.
As part of the change of command ceremony on June 14, the Picatinny Arsenal garrison guidon passed through the hands of Command Sgt. Maj. Sheila Royal to the outgoing garrison commander, and eventually into the hands of the incoming commander.
Davis D. Tindoll, Jr., the Army's Installation Management Command (IMCOM) Sustainment Director, hosted the event, and served as the go-between as the guidon passed from Ivey to Morgan, then back to Royal.
The guidon exchange served as the final act between the team of Ivey and Royal, and marked the first official act between Morgan and Royal.
Brig. Gen. Alfred F. Abramson, Picatinny Arsenal's senior commander, was the first to address the audience gathered in the Lindner Conference Center.
"I appreciate all of the hard work that Lt. Col. Ivey has done for the garrison and for the installation, and that is due to the hard work and dedication from the garrison staff.
"So I want to personally thank you. I want to professionally thank you," the general continued. "I really did have to rely on the leadership of Jeff and his team to get me through what being a senior mission commander on a great installation as this is."
To Morgan and his family, Abramson said: "I am honored and privileged to be the first to thank you and officially welcome you to this great community. You will see that the folks that work here every single day are truly dedicated professionals and patriots."
Morgan comes to Picatinny Arsenal from Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he most recently served as the commander for the Special Operations Logistics Support Element for the Joint Special Operations Command.
Tindoll was next to wish Ivey farewell and welcome the Morgans to the garrison.
"The centerpiece of IMCOM is the garrison. The individuals leading that organization are integral to us achieving success," Tindoll said.
"However, the Army doesn't train our officers to be garrison commanders, but they do develop them as leaders. Leaders who are capable, innovative, and motivated to handle the various challenges of a garrison community. That's how I describe Jeff Ivey.
"But as always, as we say farewell to an outgoing commander, we welcome a new one. Lt. Col. Morgan brings extensive knowledge to this new position. Sam, I'm certain with your demonstrated leadership you will build on the successes of your predecessors. The challenges are many but I'm confident you will bring new energy and excellence to the garrison."
Morgan's operational deployments include tours to Honduras, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He hold a Master's degree in Management from the University of Phoenix, and a Masters of Military Arts and Science from the Army's Command and General Staff College.
Ivey will transition to the Office of the Assistant Chief ofStaff for Installation Management, where he will work as a Strategic Planner in the Strategic Initiatives Group.
As Ivey delivered his final speech to the Picatinny community, he recalled how he met many employees and community leaders over the past two years, and expressed a heartfelt thanks to as many as he could.
As the new garrison commander, Morgan expressed enthusiasm for the new assignment. "I am extremely humbled and honored to have the opportunity to join Team Picatinny and lead our garrison's team," Morgan said.
"It is a privilege to command this organization, which supports a tremendous community of civilians and service members that are committed to our nation's excellence, munitions, armaments, and the defense of our great nation."
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