USAG RP welcomes new HHC commander

By NICOLE ALBERICOMay 12, 2022

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany — U.S. Army Garrison Rheinland-Pfalz’s Headquarters, Headquarters Company welcomed a new commander during an assumption of command ceremony Thursday, May 12.

Capt. Gabriela Montanez accepted command from Acting Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy McHugh at Armstrong’s Club located on the Vogelweh site in Kaiserslautern, Germany.

In his remarks, McHugh explained that commissioned officers spend most of their career as staff officers and that command opportunities are few and far between.

“That staff work that sets us apart from our peers. It prepares us to be good leaders. It prepares us to manage organizations, and it prepares us to be team players,” he said. “Captain Montanez’s reputation set her apart from her peers, got her considered for the command opportunity but once we conducted the interview, it was clear she was the right person for the job.”

Capt. Gabriela Montanez met with Headquarters, Headquarters Company Soldiers after assuming command of HHC.
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The new Headquarters, Headquarters Company commander Capt. Gabriela Montanez stands with HHC 1st Sgt.
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Capt. Gabriela Montanez accepted command from Acting Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy McHugh in Kaiserslautern, Germany.
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Capt. Gabriela Montanez accepted command from Acting Garrison Commander Lt. Col. Jeremy McHugh in Kaiserslautern, Germany. (Photo Credit: Nicole Alberico) VIEW ORIGINAL
“I’m truly humbled to have the opportunity to lead the best Soldiers in Germany,” Montanez said. “The Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, I will do my best every day to be the leader you deserve.”

Montanez comes to the garrison from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command in Kaiserslautern where she served as the chemical officer.

Montanez enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear specialist in 2014. Two years later, she earned her commission in the same field from Sam Houston State University (Texas) Reserve Officer Training Corps.

She has served as the assistant battalion S-3 and chemical officer for 6th Battalion, 52nd Air Defense Artillery Battalion at Suwon Air Base, Korea and brigade chemical officer for 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) Sustainment Brigade, Fort Drum, New York.

Montanez has her a bachelor of science in criminal justice from Sam Houston State University and is currently pursuing a master of science in biotechnology with a focus on biosecurity and biodefense.