IMCOM welcomes new CG Becker

By Susan A. Merkner, U.S. Army Installation Management Command Public AffairsSeptember 6, 2018

Passing the guidon
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Three generals
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First Armored Division Army Band
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IDs attend change of command ceremony
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Salute to the new CG
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IMCOM Change of Command ceremony
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Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Becker
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Lt. Gen. Bradley A. Becker took command of United States Army Installation Management Command in ceremonies Sept. 5 at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston.

Becker was promoted to lieutenant general immediately before the ceremony by Gen. Mark A. Milley, Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army.

Becker replaces Lt. Gen. Kenneth R. Dahl, who had served IMCOM since November 2015.

During Becker's promotion ceremony, Milley said the new IMCOM commander was talented and humble, a man who "is not afraid to speak truth to power. We want servant-leaders in our generals."

At the change of command ceremony, Milley praised IMCOM and its employees, thanking them for generating Army readiness by supporting Soldiers, their families and civilians. "Readiness is much more than manning, equipping and training. Soldiers can't focus exclusively on their combat mission if they think their family is in lousy housing, or has inadequate medical care, or unsafe schools for their children," he said.

Of the Army's 1.1 million Soldiers, 60 percent are married and most have at least two children, Milley said.

Under Dahl's leadership, IMCOM reduced 1,000 positions "which allowed us to apply those resources to build an SFAB (Security Force Assistance Brigade) which is in Afghanistan today," Milley said.

"Every base and installation is important, both in CONUS and overseas," Milley said. "Every single Solder in the Army passes through IMCOM at some point, and IMCOM is responsible for the readiness of today's Army."

Dahl was the first commanding general of IMCOM who was not dual-hatted as the Army's Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management. During his remarks at the ceremony, Dahl thanked the command's 50,000 employees for their role in providing continuity in the Army's 75 installations.

Despite budget cuts and doubling down on multiple jobs, IMCOM employees are dedicated professionals who keep the day-to-day operations going, providing facilities, utilities, security and recreational opportunities, he said.

"IMCOM provides platforms for readiness, so our Soldiers are fit, trained and ready for combat," said Dahl, who will be retiring from active service later this month.

Becker thanked family and friends for their support and said Dahl built a great team at IMCOM.

"IMCOM touches the lives of every Soldier, civilian and their family members in the Army," Becker said. "What you do every day is truly impressive. I appreciate all you do to keep the Army strong."

The change of command ceremony Sept. 5 included music by the First Armored Division Army Band, the national anthem sung by Sgt. First Class Charmakeitha M. Smith of IMCOM, and an invocation by IMCOM Command Chaplain Col. Yvonne Hudson.

IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Melissa A. Judkins participated in the guidon exchange ceremony with the three generals. The traditional presentation of flowers was held to honor the outgoing and incoming commanding generals' wives, Lt. Col. (R) Celia FlorCruz and Sherri Becker, respectively.

Prior to taking command of IMCOM, Becker was chief, Office of Security Cooperation-Iraq, U.S. Central Command, Iraq.

He was commander of the Joint Force Headquarters -- National Capital Region and the U.S. Army Military District of Washington. He previously served as the commanding general, U.S. Army Training Center and Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He has had several joint assignments and has served in Iraq and Korea, as well as at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, and Fort Lewis, Washington.

Becker's awards include the Distinguished Service Medal (second award), the Defense Superior Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Army Achievement Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters. He has earned the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist and Air Assault identification badges, and is Ranger qualified.

Becker was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the field artillery upon graduating from the University of California at Davis in 1986 with a bachelor of arts degree in political science. He also holds a master's degree in political science from Auburn University.

IMCOM became an independent command reporting directly to the Chief of Staff of the Army in the fall of 2015. Its geographic regions in the continental United States (CONUS) were reorganized into three directorates based on function -- Readiness, Sustainment and Training -- and co-located with their supported Army commands (Forces Command, Army Materiel Command, and Training and Doctrine Command, respectively). The IMCOM directorates outside CONUS were already located with the Army Service Component Commands they support in Europe and the Pacific. The U.S. Army Environmental Command is also an IMCOM organization and was represented in the ceremony by its commander and command sergeant major. All IMCOM directorates were represented at the Sept. 5 ceremony by their directors and command sergeant majors.

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U.S. Army Installation Management Command