The Army has conducted ceremonies throughout its history to celebrate special occasions, like a new commander taking the reins of a unit.
Brig. Gen. Jeremy Wilson assumed command of the Army Training Center and Fort Jackson in one such ceremony held Oct. 30 at Victory Field on post.
“Thank you for being here today as we welcome the Wilson family to Fort Jackson,” said Lt. Gen. Johnny K. Davis, commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command, who presided over the ceremony. “I want to recognize Brig. Gen. Jeremy Wilson’s incredible family, his wife Marti, their children and the loved ones here with us today.”
The ceremony marked the placing of trust on the shoulders “of a proven combat leader, an exceptional trainer, and a leader of character who understands what it takes to build readiness from the ground up,” Davis said.
Davis added Wilson has his total confidence.
“You’ve got an incredible team of superstars behind you, and I know … you’re going to crush it,” he said.
Commanding a unit like the Army Training Center takes a commitment from the whole family, said Davis, who leads the organization that runs the Army’s force generation pipeline.
It is “a team sport and a family commitment,” he said while welcoming the Wilsons to the team. “We know Jeremy wouldn’t do it; wouldn’t be standing here without the strength and love behind him from this great family.”
Wilson, who started his Army career as an armor officer upon graduation from the Citadel in 1996, said he is “humbled and honored” to take command.
“Fort Jackson holds a special place in our Army,” he said during the ceremony. “Our mission is fundamental to America’s national defense. Bottom line, we make American Soldiers. Every day young men and women arrive here as civilians to begin their transformation into disciplined, capable, members of our profession.
“The responsibility we carry is profound, and the standard we uphold must always reflect the trust our nation place in us.”
Wilson took command of a post where a roughly half of America’s Soldiers are forged.
“You cannot help but be inspired by what Fort Jackson represents to our nation,” Davis added. “Fifty percent of all Soldiers, active, Reserve and National Guard, who enter the U.S. Army begin their journey right here at Fort Jackson. Think about that for a second – half of our entire fighting force is forged on this ground.”
“This is where civilian volunteers who raised their right hand to transform into disciplined, tough American war fighters,” he added. “Fort Jackson is building Soldiers who are prepared, adaptable, and ready for anything our nation calls on them to do, whether that is deterring conflict, deploying overseas, or answering the call in times of crisis.
“That standard is carried out every single day by absolute best of the best: our drill sergeants, instructors, cadre and Department of the Army Civilians.”
Wilson said he was committed to the mission and will lead with purpose.
“My commitment to all of you is to lead with purpose, listen with humility, make decisions with integrity, and keep us focused on readiness, people, and excellence,” he said.
Fort Jackson’s 55th commanding general has deployed multiple times and was previously the deputy commanding general for the Combined Arms Center-Training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
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