FORT BENNING, Ga. – The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning welcomed a new commanding general, Maj. Gen. Curtis A. Buzzard, during today’s change of command ceremony.
“I’m very excited to be here and be a part of this great post, this great community, and our awesome mission, and I look forward to spending time with those on the field as they bring me onto the Benning team,” said Buzzard. “Soldiers and leaders come here to be better. They come here to begin their careers in the service of their country and to learn the basics.”
Buzzard assumed command from Maj. Gen. Patrick J. Donahoe, who plans to stay in the local area following his retirement from the Army after 33½ years of service.
“For the drill sergeants, the cadre, the black hats, and the ranger instructors who truly are responsible for the 62,000 Soldiers we’ll train each year you are the ones who are there 24 hours a day, seven days a week, standing between training and disaster,” said Donahoe. “Your professionalism is the hallmark of our Army. No one is more professional than you.”
Buzzard’s previous assignment was serving as the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, U.S. Army Forces Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. His previous appointments included numerous command and staff assignments across airborne, light, and mechanized Infantry and Stryker formations, and deployed multiple times to Iraq and Afghanistan.
“We, collectively, make our army better, and units are relying on us to deliver. I can’t think of a more powerful or important mission,” said Buzzard. “And that mission is based on a foundation of trust. We make a handshake with America here every time new Soldiers arrive and maintain the trust of the American people.”
Buzzard also expressed looking forward to continuing the betterment of Fort Benning, its people, and the community.
“The reason we are successful is the great people working here and the great community of Columbus and the Chattahoochee River Valley,” he said. “I look forward to serving with you, learning from you, and taking care of our Soldiers, Civilians, and their Families whether assigned here or passing through.”
For photos, please visit Fort Bennings Digital Archive.
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