U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. White (far right), the U.S. Army III Corps and Fort Hood commander, passes the 1st Infantry Division colors to U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III (center), the incoming 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley commanding general, during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. The passing of the colors is a historic military tradition that symbolizes a transfer of power from one leader to another. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Alvin Conley)VIEW ORIGINAL
FORT RILEY, Kan. -- The 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley hosted a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Cavalry Parade Field, Fort Riley.
The ceremony was held to honor the division’s outgoing commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, and to welcome the division’s incoming commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III.
Sims, who assumed command of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley in August 2020, expressed what it meant to him to hold such a position.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, speaks during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor Sims as the outgoing division commander, and to welcome U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III as the incoming division commander. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“In my 31 years in the Army, I have had no job like this,” said Sims. “I have been blessed to command this group of men and women, privileged to wear the same patch, and to stand in the same formation. In the last two years, I’ve seen the best of America, witnessed men and women give their all around the globe, for their country, for their families, and for those who serve alongside them.”
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II (center), the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, and Fay Sims (left), the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley ‘1st Lady’, are presented with awards from U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. White (right), the U.S. Army III Corps and Fort Hood commander, before a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Custer House, Kansas. The Sims’ were awarded for serving at the division from August 2020 to May 2022. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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Moving forward in his career to become the Director for Operations, Joint Staff, the Pentagon, Arlington, Virginia, Sims welcomed Meyer into the position of 1st Inf. Div. commanding general.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II (center), the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, passes the 1st Inf. Div. colors to U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. White (far right), the U.S. Army III Corps and Fort Hood commander, during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor Sims as the outgoing division commander, and to welcome U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III as the incoming division commander. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“Removing the Big Red One patch from my left shoulder will be one of the hardest things I’ve had to do, but it’s a bit easier knowing John and Kelley Meyer are here,” said Sims. “As was the case in 2014, John is certain to take the organization to even greater heights.”
(Left to right) U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, the outgoing 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Robert P. White, the U.S. Army III Corps and Fort Hood commander, and U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the incoming 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, serve as the official party during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor Sims as the division’s outgoing commanding general, and to welcome Meyer as the division’s incoming commanding general. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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Meyer, the former Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3, United States Army Europe-Africa, Germany, thanked Sims and the Big Red One for welcoming him to Fort Riley. Meyer reflected on the significance of returning to Fort Riley and the 1st Inf. Division.
U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, speaks during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor the division’s outgoing commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, and to welcome Meyer as the division’s incoming commanding general. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“When I drove on to this post for the first time 24 years ago, it had a special feeling, and that feeling remains,” said Meyer. “I look forward to working with the Soldiers and community leaders on this post.”
Units of the 1st Infantry Division present arms during the playing of the National Anthem at a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at the Fort Riley Cavalry Parade Field. The ceremony was held to honor the division’s outgoing commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. D.A. Sims II, and to welcome the division’s incoming commanding general, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
(Photo Credit: Spc. Alvin Conley)VIEW ORIGINAL
Meyer officially assumed command of the division with the passing of the colors, a historic military tradition that demonstrates a symbolic transfer of responsibility to a new leader.
U.S. Army 2nd Lt. Gabriel Buckles (left), an officer assigned to the 1st Infantry Division, presents U.S. Army Maj. Gen. John V. Meyer III, the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley commanding general, with an artillery canister during a division change of command ceremony May 11, 2022, at Fort Riley’s Cavalry Parade Field. Presentation of the canister symbolizes the raising of the flag, therefore signifying Meyer’s first day as the commanding general of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Alvin Conley, 19th Public Affairs Detachment)
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“It’s very humbling for me to command this division,” said Meyer. “I accept the responsibility to care for the Soldiers and Family members of the 1st Inf. Div. and Fort Riley. I’m looking forward to the opportunity to serve with you.”
(To view the full livestream of the ceremony, follow this link: https://youtu.be/jxPolQM-Lu8)
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