By Tisha Swart-Entwistle
Combined Arms Center Public Affairs Office
Lt. Gen. Michael Lundy relinquished command of the Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth to Lt. Gen. James Rainey during a ceremony Dec. 16, 2019 in the Lewis and Clark Center's Eisenhower Auditorium, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
The ceremony was hosted by Gen. Paul E. Funk II, commanding general, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
"Our nation and our Army owes a great debt to Mike Lundy," Funk said. "The Combined Arms Center is the epicenter for change in our Army and for the last three and a half years, Mike led the 30,000 strong organization that has reoriented the Army from counterinsurgency focus, back to large scale ground combat operations. His efforts will continue to shape the Army for years to come."
Funk credited Lundy's efforts in identifying the Army's 17 critical capability gaps. The study quickly became the foundation for all readiness and modernization discussion across the Army, Funk said.
"The large-scale combat operations gap study has gone on to shape decisions on budget, material solutions and army organizations as we seek to build a multi domain operations capable force by 2028," Funk said.
Lundy began his remarks by recognizing retired Lt. Gen. Robert Arter who lives in Leavenworth and continues to support CAC and Fort Leavenworth.
"Of all the leaders that I know, you truly exemplify what it means to be a Soldier for life and you've done more for Fort Leavenworth and the Command and General Staff College than any other person," Lundy said. "Paula (Lundy) and I especially appreciate your mentorship and your friendship."
Lundy then thanked his wife Paula for her support during their marriage and his Army career.
"You've been with me for 32 1/2 years on this journey and I couldn't have done it without you," Lundy said. "I love you and thank you for everything you've done."
Lundy spoke about the challenge he presented to CAC when he took command in 2016.
"To be able to change the culture of the Army from one that was focused for 15 or 16 years on counterinsurgency, to one that could prevail against the threats that we face around the globe today," Lundy said. "And, you met that challenge head on and you delivered."
Lundy said that it has been a privilege and an honor to watch the CAC team during his command "…do what's right for our Army, do what's right for our Soldiers, do what our Soldiers' parents expect us to do," Lundy said.
Lundy said Rainey and his wife Tracy are the right team to take command of CAC and continue to change the Army.
"There's nobody I'd rather turn it over to," Lundy said. "So Jim… this is the best job that you will have in the Army… it is absolutely the most rewarding and the reason is because of the people that are in this organization."
Funk welcomed Rainey back to Fort Leavenworth as Rainey was the director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence from June 2012 to June 2013.
"Jim, welcome to the epicenter of change in our Army," Funk said "Leading change is difficult… I have no doubt that you will lead this team to unparalleled successes while continuing to enhance the lives of our Soldiers and their family members."
Rainey thanked Funk and the Army leadership for having the trust and confidence in him to lead CAC.
"I don't take that lightly," Rainey said. "I appreciate very much this opportunity and I won't let you down."
Rainey thanked Lundy and Paula for a great transition and said that everything Funk had said about Lundy was true.
"CAC has never been more relevant than it is now," Rainey said. "And, it has been led by some the best people that our Army has ever produced, but no one has done it better than Mike."
Rainey said that he fell in love with the Army during college but fell back in love with the Army and the profession when he attended CGSC as a major.
"I decided I was going to do this as long as the Army would have me," Rainey said.
Rainey said that commanding CAC at Fort Leavenworth is his dream job.
"This is the place I want to be more than anything," Rainey said. "It is an honor to be selected to command here, it is a privilege I do not take lightly. You will get everything I have every single day and that is all I will ask out of all of you."
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