Col. Katie Slingerland is Redstone Arsenal’s new Garrison commander.
Slingerland replaces Col. Erin Eike who served as the Garrison commander since August 2024.
“Today’s ceremony is needed to carry on tradition of transferring of responsibility. Col. Slingerland, your education, experience and dedication to the community make you uniquely qualified to lead a garrison,” Jason Condrey, director of the Installation Management Command-Sustainment, said.
The ceremony held Aug. 18 in Bob Jones Auditorium welcomed 400 attendees, with a majority saying “hello, goodbye, hello, goodbye” to both Eike and Slingerland.
Slingerland is a 2004 graduate of Carson-Newman University, who enlisted two weeks after her graduation.
Previously, she worked as the executive officer to the Army Aviation Center of Excellence’s commander at Fort Rucker, a position Condrey noted was “a peek into life at Redstone.”
Slingerland and her husband, Jayson, are both Black Hawk pilots. They have served at home and abroad fighting for this country – experiences that she credited to “the Lord for blessing them with the opportunity,” a sentiment which she also attributed to commanding a garrison.
Eike, in her speech, took the time to thank those she worked with and offered Slingerland some parting advice.
“You are joining a team of quiet professionals who never miss a beat,” Eike said, directly addressing the new Garrison commander. “The days may be long, the challenges may be hard, but there is no finer community in the United States Army to lead.”
When it was her time to speak, Slingerland called the handover of command the best she’s received in 22 years of service and said she was excited for the new assignment.
“You’re an incredible leader and I know I have big shoes (to fill),” Slingerland said about Eike.
In an article on Carson-Newman University’s website, Slingerland said a jogging 101 course led her to enlisting.
“It turned out it was the Army ROTC physical fitness hour,” she said in the article. “I loved it, and they invited me to their lab on Wednesdays. It was so much fun, and I truly enjoyed making lots of new friends. More importantly, it was a chance to be a part of an organization fighting for our nation.”
Slingerland explained that one of her favorite quotes is “life is like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get,” from Robert Zemeckis’ 2004 film, “Forrest Gump.” Throughout her time preparing for this position, Condrey reminded her that the quote captures the nature of a garrison command.
Slingerland is a fan of Rocky Top and roots for the Tennessee Volunteers. Embodying the Volunteer Spirit along with the rest of her family, she has “jumped into the community with both feet,” Condrey said.
“Every day brings new opportunities, unexpected challenges and different ways to serve our community, but that’s what makes the decision so meaningful,” Slingerland said. “It is both a privilege and a humbling responsibility to serve alongside such dedicated Soldiers, civilians and amazing families. I look forward to the adventure that lies ahead.”
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