ANNISTON ARMY DEPOT, AL -- Anniston Army Depot welcomed its 37th commander during a change of command ceremony July 29 in the installation’s Nichols Industrial Complex before family, friends, distinguished guests and depot employees.
Col. Marvin Walker relinquished command to Col. Eric McCoy. Walker will retire after 26 years of service to the nation.
The ceremony took place in an open, yet covered facility to ensure COVID-19 mitigation precautions. Approximately 300 people physically attended while others watched the live stream on social media and the depot’s local area network.
Maj. Gen. Darren Werner, commanding general of Tank-automotive and Armaments Command, expressed his gratitude for Walker’s accomplishments and voiced his support for McCoy as he assumes command.
“Under Marvin’s leadership, the team maintained a workload balance of mission requirements against the need for force health protection conditions ensuring minimal impact to employees and their families during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Werner. “The depot’s Performance to Promise rate remained above 97 percent during his tenure and in 2019, the depot was one of only two installations in the Army to achieve a 100 percent audit readiness.”
Walker led Team Anniston to consistently deliver excellent readiness for Army combat fleets, set strategic courses with our industry partners, and expand our global reach and security cooperation among our allies through impressive support, he added.
Walker took no credit for the accomplishments, but passed it along to the depot teammates.
“Any success I have achieved since taking command of this depot is attributed you - the hard working people who are a part of Anniston’s team,” he said. Elaborating on the workforce’s passion and determination, he continued to highlight how Anniston led the organic industrial base. “The workforce has always stepped up to the plate, producing the highest quality products for our Warfighters.”
“I have to thank my family for their undying love and support. I’ve move them around the world and they’ve never faltered or complained…at least not while I was in the room,” he chuckled.
The Army is constantly shaping leaders to take command when the opportunities for them to excel arises.
“Col. McCoy has shown that he has the outstanding skills, experience and leadership qualities to take the reins here at Anniston,” Werner said. He
previously served as Director of the Subsistence Supply Chain, Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support.
“My family and I are excited and humbled to be here,” McCoy said. “Twenty-three years in the Army has taught us a lot, but one of the most important lessons is how relationships matter. Today, we celebrate those relationships and our connectedness within the Army profession.”
“When it comes down to life and death between you and the enemy and you pull the trigger, the difference between a click and a bang is logistics.”
Referencing the depot’s 80-year history and its promising future, McCoy added, “There is still much to do in accomplishing the mission and mandate of our higher commanders and the American people, but the Soldiers, civilians and contractors of Team Anniston are ready and eager to move out. Let’s get to work.”
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