Family, friends, faculty and staff united at the Haig Room in Jefferson Hall Jan. 18 to celebrate the promotion ceremony of U.S. Corps of Cadets (USCC) Commandant, Lori L. Robinson. She was promoted from the rank of brigadier general to major general during a festive time-honored observance that included music, food and a reception hailing the career and future aspirations of the Paterson, New Jersey, native.
Robinson’s parents, John and Ellen, viewed the event remotely from Texas, while her husband, retired Col. Tom Robinson, and sister, Tracy DePadova, pinned her new stars on her shoulders.
After the ceremony kicked off with the national anthem performed by the West Point Brass Quintet and sung by Sgt. 1st Class Emily McAleesejergins, USCC Chaplain Matthew Pawlikowski provided the invocation about the U.S. Military Academy Class of 1994 former rabble-rouser captain who became an aerospace engineer and achieved her class’s motto, “With Courage We Soar.”
“(Robinson) lived up to her class’s motto by mastering the air as an aviator and soaring into the high ranks of our profession,” Pawlikowski said. “Her competence was on display in Hawaii and Alaska, Carlisle and Carson, the Pentagon, NATO and Headquarters DA, and her courage showed forth in four combat assignments in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
Her many tours of duty included serving with the 10th Mountain Division Headquarters in Baghdad, Iraq; 3rd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment in Kandahar, Afghanistan; 4th Combat Aviation Brigade in Bagram, Afghanistan; Executive Officer to the Commander, Resolute Support and U.S. Forces Afghanistan; and as part of the Department of Military Instruction at West Point.
At the senior levels, she served as the Deputy Commanding General (Support) for both the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) and the 2nd Infantry Division (Combined). She also served a number of posts within the Pentagon and the Department of the Army.
USMA Superintendent Lt. Gen. Steven Gilland began his remarks about Robinson with her connection to the lineage of the Long Gray Line and how it has led her on a path to being a productive leader for the Army.
“Whether it’s classmates, it’s company mates, it’s people who we’ve served together with, it’s really important as we think about the journey that Lori has been on for not only her years here at the U.S. Military Academy, but also the almost 30 years coming up this May with the Army,” Gilland conveyed to the audience. “We talk about sacrifice, and all this is significant when you think about through the years … the Army chose Lori to go and do a whole bunch of different things, whether it was in aviation or in the Department of the Army, she has built up a kit bag or rucksack of experiences, skills and knowledge that, quite honestly, is pretty unmatched when you think about the Army and her peers as aviators across our force.
“That’s a testament to her,” he added. “Given some of the trials and tribulations that you don’t ask for, but that we the Army put upon you – she’s been doing a great job.”
Then Gilland asked a question of the attendees about Robinson receiving her second star – what does that mean?
“One is we talked about her skills or her respective knowledge. We talked about performance, but it is really about her potential to the Army to serve not only in a two-star position, but beyond that in three- and four-star positions. That is really the beginning to being a senior leader as a three- or four-star general in the United States Army,” Gilland said. “Lori rose clearly to the top … to lead our Soldiers in today’s and tomorrow’s Army. It says a lot about her commitment and what she has done over the past 30 years in the Army by training people, developing leaders of character … the impacts that she has had on men and women across our force of all ranks and of all ages, and the impacts on families – it’s pretty amazing. Lori, I personally thank you.”
After Gilland’s speech, the orders were given to promote Robinson to major general as she was pinned by her husband and sister. Then the two-star flag was uncased and presented with the assistance of USCC Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Craven. Then she received the oath of office from Gilland before making her remarks to the group.
Robinson began by saying how much of a “humbling moment” it was for her to receive her second star and did not forget to mention the primary reason everyone is at West Point.
“I am grateful to be a part of this great leader team here at West Point as we work together to develop the future leaders of our Army and our nation,” Robinson said.
Then she reflected on the days as Cadet Lori Turbak and how “surreal” it is to be back as the commandant at West Point.
“Never in a million years did I think that would happen,” she said. “Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought I would be promoted to major general in the United States Army, but here I am.”
Robinson said she is elated to work with her USCC teammates and everyone across USMA who “contribute to supporting the academy and upholding its tremendous legacy of developing leaders of character.”
As she shared her journey and expressed gratitude to those who supported her, Robinson couldn't help but feel conflicted about being promoted in the library—a place tied to her first true love in life.
“People often ask me if I wanted to fly or if I always wanted to lead Soldiers,” Robinson reflected on her youth. “But the truth is, I have always wanted to be a librarian, and that is still true. I will put that dream on hold for a bit longer as I accept this awesome honor, privilege and responsibility to continue to serve Soldiers and their families in the United States Army.”
Robinson took a few moments to recognize her family, friends and mentors, whom without them, “I would not be standing here today.”
She said she often tells people that she has three families – the one she was born into, the one she married into, and her Army family.
In her narrative, Robinson reflects on her journey and points out that if there is any source of traumatic stress for her, it does not stem from her combat deployments, but instead traces back to the Holleder Center in July 1990, when she was given a mere 90 seconds to say goodbye to her loved ones.
“That is where this journey started, just like it did for thousands before and after me,” she said. “My parents and sister were there that day … and have been with me, if not physically, then in spirit every day since along this journey. Their love and support were something I have never doubted.”
Her parents were there when she was promoted to major in Cullum Hall in 2004. Her DMI boss at the time, Col. Mike Garrett, presided at her ceremony, and he would retire a couple of years ago as a four-star general.
“He represents one of the many leaders and mentors who believed in me and had the confidence in me that I didn’t always have in myself,” Robinson said. “(Garrett) remained my mentor for the remainder of my career. It has taught me to treat each interaction you have with a young leader deliberately, as you never really know the impact that you will have on his or her life.”
She gave a shout-out to her husband, Tom, who she met at the Command and General Staff College, and the large family she inherited by marriage, and said she is “forever grateful for their love and support.”
Addressing her Army family, she spoke appreciatively of the 30 years during which her teachers, coaches, mentors and friends from her time at the academy through today, have contributed significantly to her success.
“You are the people who have taken me under their wing because they genuinely wanted me to succeed,” Robinson said. “The people who I have spent countless birthdays and holidays with and who have been there to listen to me and encourage me to keep going.”
She named a few people, but overall praised every Soldier and family member, NCO, Army Aviation unit, Warrant Officer Corps, peers and friends, including the USMA Class of 1994, who she has encountered over the past 30-plus years.
“Those names truly represent all who have impacted my life and career and has allowed me to develop into the leader that the Army has placed its trust in today as a major general,” Robinson said. “You’re truly an outstanding and supportive group of people.”
She gave a final mention to all the officers who mentored and coached her throughout her career and who she modeled the leadership attributes she always wanted to emulate. The last person she cited and who she said was her biggest fan throughout her career was retired Maj. Gen. Frank Tate, who passed away in 2022.
“Sir, I hope you’re sitting under an eternal palm tree in the sun with a nice drink because you deserve it after your tireless efforts and dedicated career of service, and for everything you helped develop, lead and change for our Army and Army Aviation,” Robinson concluded. “I simply would not be here today getting promoted to major general if it were not for your constant encouragement, mentorship, leadership and friendship for both Tom and I for over 20 years. Thank you for caring about me and the lives of every Soldier and family you have touched – aloha and mahalo.”
Social Sharing