FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — 2023 at Fort Leonard Wood was a year of changes, successes and improvements, including visits from several high-profile dignitaries, installation of the post’s first electric vehicle charging stations and the welcoming of a new Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood command team – along with a new MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood command chief warrant officer position. The Fort Leonard Wood community also stepped up and showed its generosity, winning the Army Emergency Relief donation campaign at Army level, and demonstrated excellence, literally, when the installation was awarded the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence and the Army’s best garrison award.
Below are 23 of the top stories from 2023, listed in the order they happened.
MSCoE, Fort Leonard Wood bid fond farewell to Delapena, welcome Arzabala during ceremony
The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood held a change-of-responsibility ceremony Jan. 6 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium, where Command Sgt. Maj. Randolph Delapena relinquished his role as top enlisted leader to Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala.
Maj. Gen. James Bonner, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, said Arzabala will be “an incredible asset to our center.”
“We are thrilled to have him and his family back here at MSCoE,” Bonner said, noting Arzabala began his Army career at one station unit training at Fort Leonard Wood in 1999 — he also served as a drill sergeant with Fort Leonard Wood’s 82nd Chemical Battalion, and later as the 3rd Chemical Brigade command sergeant major from 2019 to 2021.
Cardinals Caravan makes a stop for baseball fans at Fort Leonard Wood
Five current and former St. Louis Cardinals baseball players spent time on Jan. 14 meeting some of their Fort Leonard Wood fans, during an event in the Engineer Regimental Room at the John B. Mahaffey Museum Complex.
As part of what’s called the Cardinals Caravan — which brings players, alumni and broadcasters together with fans outside of St. Louis each year during baseball’s offseason — players Gordon Graceffo, Lars Nootbar and Zack Thompson, as well as former pitchers Alan Benes and Randy Flores, were on hand to sign autographs and take pictures with about 50 service members, Defense Department civilians and their families.
USAPPS HR specialist receives President’s Lifetime Achievement Award for decades of volunteer work
In addition to the human resources role she has performed for Fort Leonard Wood’s U.S. Army Prime Power School over the years, Susan Marshall has been doing quite a lot in the background for the local community. From helping out at area nursing homes, to housing the homeless and feeding hungry children throughout Pulaski County, Marshall has given more than 10,000 hours of her time to helping people in need.
Her efforts were recognized in January, when she was presented with the President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, signed by President Joe Biden.
Army promotes Albrycht to brigadier general
Col. Sarah Albrycht, U.S. Army Military Police School commandant, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony on Jan. 26 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.
The presiding officer for the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Donna Martin, the Army’s Inspector General, said promotions are “not about what you have accomplished, but truly about potential.”
CAC CG visits Fort Leonard Wood
Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle, commanding general of the U.S. Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, visited Fort Leonard Wood on Feb. 1 to observe training, meet with Soldiers and leaders and provide a leader professional development, or LPD, opportunity for Captains Career Course students.
This was Beagle’s first visit to Fort Leonard Wood since he took command of the CAC and Fort Leavenworth in October.
East Gate reopens after bridge concrete project
With assistance from individuals with the directorates of Emergency Services and Public Works, Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, cut the ceremonial ribbon Feb. 2 to officially open the bridge that connects J Highway to the installation just outside the East Gate.
Hours of operation at the gate are 5 to 8:30 a.m. and 2 to 6 p.m. weekdays.
The gate was initially closed in 2021, so workers could mill and resurface the asphalt deck on the 420-foot-long bridge, while also sealing the underlying concrete. The scope of the project changed, however, when officials noticed the amount of deteriorating concrete underneath. The plan was altered to include the removal and replacement of the deteriorating concrete, and the 80-year-old bridge now has a full-depth concrete deck.
The completion of this project helps ensure the safety of the Fort Leonard Wood community for decades to come, officials said.
Brito makes his initial visit to Fort Leonard Wood as TRADOC CG
Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, visited Fort Leonard Wood on Feb. 15 to gain familiarization with the people and mission of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence.
This was Brito’s first visit to Fort Leonard Wood since becoming TRADOC CG in September.
IMCOM rates Fort Leonard Wood substance abuse program outstanding ahead of inspections
U.S. Army Installation Management Command has rated Fort Leonard Wood’s substance abuse program outstanding, following an early March staff assistance visit in preparation for two upcoming inspections.
According to Polly Guthrie, Fort Leonard Wood Alcohol Drug Control Officer and ASAP manager, an ASAP specialist from IMCOM’s headquarters at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, visited the installation from March 6 to 9. In total, 77 facets of the program were inspected, with just one finding.
Highest-ranking Marine visits Fort Leonard Wood Marine Corps Detachment
Gen. David Berger, the 38th Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps, stepped foot on Fort Leonard Wood for the first time on March 9. He was on post to visit the Marine Corps Detachment — the largest Marine Corps Detachment on an Army installation.
While at Fort Leonard Wood, Berger spent time at each of the four Marine instruction companies that call Fort Leonard Wood home. He watched an indoor marksmanship demonstration at the Marine’s Military Police Instruction Company. He visited Training Area 204, where the Engineer Equipment Instruction Company has simulators for their heavy construction equipment. He watched a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear detection demonstration at the CBRN Instruction Company and got a first-hand look at students training in the Motor Transport Instruction Company’s vehicle simulators at Training Area 236.
Berger said the Marine Corps can’t operate without the detachment.
Army awards Soldier’s Medal to MP School course manager for life-saving actions in Oklahoma
For his actions in saving a civilian from a fire near Fort Sill, Oklahoma, in 2021, Sgt. 1st Class Anthony Santos — who currently serves as the U.S. Army Military Police School’s MP Investigations Course manager — was awarded the Soldier’s Medal, which is given to American and friendly foreign service members for heroic acts performed while off duty and not involving conflict with an enemy.
Presenting the award to Santos on March 21 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium was Brig. Gen. Sarah Albrycht, USAMPS commandant.
Post opens first government electric vehicle charge points
Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, cut the ribbon on March 24 outside the Directorate of Public Works building to officially open the installation’s first electric vehicle charging station. Later in the year, the installation also received seven solar charging stations. The stations provide charging capabilities for the electric vehicle fleet that will eventually replace all non-tactical government-owned vehicles on post, part of an Army directive in line with Presidential Executive Order 14057 — Catalyzing Clean Energy Industries and Jobs Through Federal Sustainability. The order requires the Department of Defense to transition its non-tactical vehicles to a 100 percent zero-emission fleet.
Fort Leonard Wood impresses SecArmy civilian aides during conference visit
About 100 civilian aides to the Secretary of the Army visited Fort Leonard Wood the week of May 8 to attend their national conference. CASAs, as they’re commonly called, are business and community leaders appointed by the Secretary of the Army to advise and support Army leaders across the country.
With recruiting a hot topic on the agenda of this year’s conference, Gen. Gary Brito, commanding general of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, visited the installation on May 10 to discuss the topic with the CASAs.
Later that evening, high school students from across South-Central Missouri were celebrated for volunteering to serve as future military members at the Community Salute to Service event in Waynesville High School’s gymnasium, with Brito serving as keynote speaker.
Fort Leonard Wood bids fond farewell to Bonner, welcomes Beck during ceremony
The Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood held a change-of-command ceremony May 19 on Gammon Field, where Maj. Gen. Jim Bonner relinquished command of the installation to Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck.
Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle Jr., U.S. Army Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth commanding general, presided over the ceremony and thanked Bonner for the work he has done at Fort Leonard Wood during the past three years.
“I have never seen a leader more positive, more optimistic and more thoughtful than Jim Bonner. Jim is deeply committed to his profession,” Beagle said. “His work ethic is above any that I have ever seen.”
Beagle told the crowd that ever since Beck was selected to lead MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood, “I have received many notes, cards and letters telling me about Chris Beck, and they have told me what a great leader he is,” Beagle said.
Fort Leonard Wood named Army's best garrison, receives Commander in Chief's Annual Award for Installation Excellence
U.S. Army Installation Management Command announced on June 6 that Fort Leonard Wood is the best garrison in the Army.
Lt. Gen. Omar Jones, IMCOM commanding general, alongside IMCOM Command Sgt. Maj. Jason Copeland, presented the 2022 award — in recognition of Fort Leonard Wood’s garrison Soldiers, families, civilians and community partners “for exemplary dedication and commitment to excellence” — to Col. Anthony Pollio, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leonard Wood commander, and USAG Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Danny Castleberry during a brief ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio, Texas, where IMCOM is headquartered.
Then, on July 14, the Department of Defense announced Fort Leonard Wood was awarded the Commander in Chief’s Annual Award for Installation Excellence during a virtual ceremony.
Fort Leonard Wood was among six installations selected for being the best in performing installation management within their military service and the Defense Logistics Agency. The award recognizes the outstanding and innovative efforts of the people who operate and maintain U.S. military installations, and their exemplary support of Defense Department missions.
Bochat takes command of Army’s CBRN School
Brig. Gen. Sean Crockett relinquished command of the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School to Col. W. Bochat during a change-of-commandant ceremony June 6 on the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Plaza.
MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Commanding General Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck spoke on the “impact” commandants make on their regiments.
“It’s amazing to me the number of past leaders of the Chemical Regiment that are here to celebrate the Crocketts as they depart and the Bochats as they take over the mantle,” Beck said. “The commandant of a U.S. Army school is an instrumental position. Commandants also drive change, within the Army and as a whole, by providing expertise and by guiding doctrine, force development and capability solutions for our Army.”
Fort Leonard Wood’s 2023 AER donation campaign is Army’s best
Fort Leonard Wood’s 2023 Army Emergency Relief donation campaign exceeded both the installation’s and the Army’s goals, finishing in the top spot across the Army for medium-sized installations.
But that wasn’t all, according to Fort Leonard Wood AER Officer Chuck Matthews.
With nearly $300,000 raised and 65 percent of the installation’s population donating, Matthews said Fort Leonard Wood was also No. 1 in the Army for the greatest number of Soldiers donating, highest percentage of Soldiers donating, highest dollar amount raised — at $297,775 — and highest-average Soldier donation, with $36.69 per Fort Leonard Wood Soldier and $56.41 per donation received.
14th Military Police Brigade welcomes new leadership at ceremony
Col. Kirk Whittenberger relinquished command of the 14th Military Police Brigade to Col. John Copeland during a ceremony July 14 in Nutter Field House.
The reviewing officer for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Sarah Albrycht, U.S. Army Military Police School commandant, who said the 14th MP Brigade is the foundation of the regiment and sets the culture for the entire MP Corps.
Safety at forefront of Garrison Master Driver training, qualifications program
Forney Airfield’s Air Traffic Assistant John Yohn is Fort Leonard Wood’s most-recent graduate of the Army’s Master Driver Course.
While it may sound like he could now hop into a Formula 1 race car and give Lewis Hamilton a run for his money, it’s actually a much more useful certification for the Fort Leonard Wood community and the massive variety of potentially dangerous vehicles and other equipment used on the installation each day.
Yohn said the training he received earlier this year at the 13-day course — offered at Fort Gregg-Adams, Virginia — provided “knowledge over several Army regulations designed to help individuals build a driver and operator training program for their unit.” Yohn is now the master driver for the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security.
While this program has been in place for active-duty Soldiers for years — Fort Leonard Wood’s 58th Transportation Battalion, for example, has many master drivers for the multitude of motor transport operators in the unit — Army civilians will now have standardized military licensing requirements as well, officials announced in July.
Fort Leonard Wood’s Arrive Strong in-processing program gets community focused upgrades
Newly arrived service members and their families have the opportunity to learn more about the many amenities in and around the Fort Leonard Wood community — while also completing mandatory appointments — with an upgraded newcomers orientation day called Arrive Strong —run Thursdays at the USO.
The improved program began July 27.
Registe assumes new MSCoE command chief warrant officer position
In his previous role, as the U.S. Army Engineer School’s regimental chief warrant officer, Chief Warrant Officer 5 Dean Registe was used to, among other things, managing training and leader development for the Army Engineer Regiment.
In August, he assumed a new role — new for him and for the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, under which, USAES is organized. Registe is now MSCoE’s first command chief warrant officer.
According to Registe, the new position is designed to bring synchronization between Fort Leonard Wood’s three schools regarding all things warrant officer-related — besides USAES, Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School and the U.S. Army Military Police School.
Fort Leonard Wood USO therapy dog wins Hero Dog Award
He is not your average therapist, but he is the best four-legged furry therapist in America, according to American Humane Hero Dog Awards voters — six-year-old Great Dane Maverick is the 2023 therapy dog of the year for his help comforting service members and their families through Fort Leonard Wood’s USO.
The award was presented in September on a live major television network morning show in New York City.
Fort Leonard Wood dedicates Warrior Restaurant to Medal of Honor recipient
Building 6111, a two-story Army Warrior Restaurant in the heart of the U.S. Army Engineer Regiment’s barracks, now bears the name of Sgt. 1st Class Christopher Celiz —a combat engineer killed in 2018, while serving in Afghanistan.
In 2021, Celiz was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. In the official citation, the president stated, “the sergeant knew his time was critical to get his wounded teammate loaded and treated, so he once again, knowingly and willingly stepped into the enemy’s crosshairs.”
During a dedication ceremony on Sept. 11 to commemorate Celiz Hall’s new name and unveil a granite monument placed in front of the facility, Col. Joseph Goetz, U.S. Army Engineer School commandant, said, “it is a privilege to stand before you and share the story of an extraordinary individual, who’s legacy will continue to inspire the thousands of Engineer Soldiers that come through this building.”
MSCoE leaders update Fort Leonard Wood standards book
Maneuver Support Center of Excellence senior leaders have made updates to the MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood standards book, a collection of information service members and civilians on the installation need to know to better understand expectations, “to provide guidance on proper representation of our Service, and to foster an environment where all of our teammates exhibit and achieve our values,” reads the memorandum on the book, dated Oct. 30, and signed by Maj. Gen. Christopher Beck, MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, and MSCoE and Fort Leonard Wood Command Sgt. Maj. Jorge Arzabala.
While not a complete listing of all applicable regulatory guidance, the standards book “does reinforce the high standards expected” of those serving on Fort Leonard Wood, Beck and Arzabala wrote.
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