FORT SILL, Oklahoma (Aug. 3, 2018) -- Fort Sill welcomed a new garrison commander, Col. Don King Jr., after Col. Samuel Curtis handed over the guidon at a July 24, change of command ceremony.
Vincent Grewatz, Installation Management Command-Training hosted the ceremony. He presented Curtis with the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious service from July 8, 2016, to July 24, 2018.
Curtis's next assignment will be as assistant chief of staff for operations and plans at Army headquarters in the Pentagon.
Joe Gallagher, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill deputy to the commanding general, presented Anne Curtis with the Commander's Award for Public Service in recognition of her volunteer work and being a team member, and the Alice Grierson Award for Excellence in recognition of her selfless service to the community.
Instead of having troops in formation as at other changes of command, four vehicles were displayed on the Old Post Quadrangle to symbolize the workings of the Fort Sill Garrison: a fire truck, a mobile command post, a front-end loader, and a grader.
"Today we recognize the achievements of Colonel Sam Curtis and his wife, Anne, and we welcome an incoming commander, Colonel Don King and his wife, Rika. We have plenty to say about the character and contributions of these two outstanding, leading families," Grewatz said.
Grewatz expressed appreciation to Gallagher and FCoE and Fort Sill Commanding General, Maj. Gen. Wilson A. Shoffner for their strong support of the garrison so that the Army "can be ready and lethal in future conflict."
"Thank you for what you do for our warriors, for our families, for our Soldiers, for the entire region that supports us in ensuring readiness for our Army today," he said.
"To the members of the garrison team: you guys are awesome. Thank you for what you do each and every day," he added. IMCOM has asked a lot of the garrison team as the Army shifts to a growth posture and elements here are realigned with the new Futures Command, and in every instance the team has delivered, said the speaker.
"You've also strengthened the partnerships we have with the local community," Grewatz said. "And of course that amazing success begins with the leadership of Colonel Sam Curtis and his wife Anne and the family, and the way that they've shaped and delivered to this community, been a central part of the community in everything that it does.
"And so together with the support of his battle buddy, Command Sgt. Maj. (Jonathan) Lutgens, I know that Sam has continuously challenged the garrison and all of the partners on this installation to meet the needs of the Soldiers and the families, the Fires Center, and the region, in order to deliver the readiness" that is IMCOM's reason for being, Grewatz said.
Grewatz praised Curtis for the installation's improved ability to mobilize and deploy the Forces Command brigades amid the growing inter-relationships of mission partners; for Fort Sill's piloting of Army access control policy that will shape policy changes to be put in place in the next 30 to 60 days; and for the execution of a personnel reduction affecting the garrison team. He noted that with compassion and commitment to the workforce, Curtis and the leadership team in the garrison ensured a deliberate, smooth transition to a lower level of resources while posturing for future missions.
"Anne is dedicated to the Soldiers in this community. She's a part of every activity that shapes the services we deliver to Soldiers and families," Grewatz said.
In his farewell remarks, Curtis told the installation directors whose behind-the-scenes work often goes unnoticed, "It is a true honor to have served and worked beside each of you here." He also praised the civilian workforce for giving him and the installation its full support.
He ended by thanking his wife for saying "yes" one more time and their three boys for always being open to new adventures.
COL. KING
The incoming garrison commander is a native of Arcadia, Fla., who enlisted in the Army in 1986. His first assignment was in the 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. While there, he attended Ranger School and deployed to Operation Just Cause in Panama. In 1991 he attended the Special Forces Qualification Course and graduated as a Special Forces medic. He was then assigned to Company C, 2nd Battalion, 10th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
In 1995 King commissioned as an infantry second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School. He was then assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.
He served as a Ranger platoon leader before completing the Special Forces Detachment Officer's Qualification Course and was then assigned to the 3rd Special Forces Group (Airborne) in 2001. He commanded three Operational Detachment-Alphas and deployed twice in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
He was then assigned to the Army Special Operations Command as executive officer to the deputy commanding general of Combined Forces Special Operations Component Command and the commanding general of a joint interagency task force.
From 2006-2008 King commanded Company C, 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces (Airborne). In 2008 he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 1st Special Warfare Training Group (Airborne) as the advanced skills battalion operations officer.
From 2009-2011 he commanded Special Forces Assessment and Selection. In 2011 King served as director of human dynamics for the Special Warfare Education Group (Airborne).
From 2012-2014 King commanded the U.S. Army Marksmanship Unit, deploying portions of his command to conduct marksmanship training for the Afghan National Army. Following this command, he served as the executive officer to the commanding general of the United States John F. Kennedy Special Warfare Center and School.
Most recently he served in Afghanistan as the chief of staff for the NATO Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan and the Special Operations Joint Task Force Afghanistan.
King holds a bachelor of science from Troy State and master's degrees from Webster University and the Army War College. He and his wife have two sons, Tyler and Dakota.
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