By Jaz Levario
Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) Public Affairs
July 1, 2021
Devens, Massachusetts – Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Lindsey Halter and Command Sergeant Major (CSM) Kelli Harr relinquished responsibility of Fort Devens Reserve Forces Training Area (RFTA) to their successors'; commander LTC Trent Colestock and CSM Jamie Rogers, during the combined change of command and change of responsibility ceremony held on July 1, 2021.
Colonel Jon Brierton, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Deputy Commander, presided over the ceremony. He reviewed the command team's extensive accomplishments during their tenure, which included establishing safe protocols during a global pandemic, increased overall garrison on board strength, and communicating a vision to ensure Fort Devens RFTA was postured to meet the challenges of tomorrow.
"Command is an honor. It's earned; it's not for the faint of heart," said COL Brierton. An aspect that makes Command great is the potential to impact all those that you serve positively. Command is about taking care of people, the nation's most precious asset, COL Brierton said.
When LTC Halter addressed the Fort Deven RFTA garrison staff during the ceremony, she said, "Command is the highest honor bestowed upon an officer, by taking Command the Army grants you the responsibility for the entire organization. Being the commander of Fort Devens RFTA has truly been the highest honor and my privilege. Thank you for supporting my vision and for all your hard work and dedication; you are what makes Fort Devens run." In addition, she thanked the Fort Devens RFTA tenant units, partners, and families.
LTC Halter took Command of Fort Devens RFTA in 2019 and served as Garrison Commander during a very strange and unique time in Army history. COVID-19 launched operations down a new path; finding new ways to manage training and accomplish the mission was paramount. "I'm so proud of the garrison team for coming together during that uncertain & ever-changing time to solve the many problems COVID brought with it."
When addressing Fort Devens RFTA garrison for the first time as their commander, LTC Colestock said, “Fort Devens is the premier training center of New England simply because of the amazing, dedicated, committed people that come to this base to support America’s warfighters day in and day out. I can’t thank you enough and CSM Rogers and I are absolutely privileged to join you as a team.”
"Success does not come easily, nor is it without challenge," said CSM Harr as she bid farewell to the garrison staff after three years of serving as the command sergeant major. "As the Garrison CSM, it's been amazing to watch this team work together; trying to accomplish tasks individually is almost impossible, but as a team, we can do so much."
CSM Rogers, who came from the 5th Battalion Army Reserve Careers Group, said, Fort Devens has spent the previous 103 years ensuring our military's readiness, and I am proud to be a part of that history.
-30-
Social Sharing