FORT JACKSON, SC -- Maj. Gen. James Milano assumed command of Fort Jackson from Brig. Gen. Bradley May yesterday during a change of command ceremony at the OfficersAca,!a,,c Club.
Milano comes to Fort Jackson from Kentucky where he served as commanding general of the U.S. Army Armor Center and Fort Knox.
May will serve as director of the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission.
Lt. Gen. Mark Hertling, deputy commanding general for Initial Military Training, described the ceremony as a celebration to honor the contributions of May and his wife, as well as those of the local communities and the Soldiers who have for decades started their military careers right here at Fort Jackson.
Aca,!A"As (the Soldiers) stand out there, they represent the literally hundreds of thousands of Soldiers who have stood on that field,Aca,!A? Hertling said. Aca,!A"They are our credentials, and itAca,!a,,cs understandable that JacksonAca,!a,,cs motto is Aca,!EoeVictory Starts Here.Aca,!a,,cAca,!A?
Hertling praised May for his many accomplishments at Fort Jackson, to include overseeing the transformation of more than 140,000 civilians into Soldiers, designing the post campaign plan, fostering programs that promote professional development, and overseeing the consolidation and establishment of many Army schools, such as the Master Resilience Training Center and Course.
Hertling also thanked May for his support in helping him implement many fundamental changes in IMT.
Aca,!A"During the time when weAca,!a,,cve relooked all of what weAca,!a,,cre doing in the training base from a holistic perspective and given that the environment around us has changed so radically,Aca,!A? Hertling said, Aca,!A"Brad, you were the perfect choice for commanding this organization.Aca,!A?
Hertling gave special recognition to MayAca,!a,,cs wife, Jan, for her own contributions to Fort Jackson, to include helping establish the post Family Readiness Center, supporting the Army Family Action Plan, the Spouses Club and the Thrift Shop.
Aca,!A"Thanks so much to you, Jan, for all your contributions, your support, your love for our Soldiers,Aca,!A? Hertling said, Aca,!A"especially for your Soldier, Brad, and the fact that youAca,!a,,cve put your entire heart into Fort Jackson.Aca,!A?
May thanked the many Soldiers and leaders who helped him throughout his journey at Fort Jackson.
Aca,!A"Having responsibility for training and transforming thousands of Soldiers destined for combat, for providing the highest possible quality of life for them, our families and civilians, and for serving with you has been especially gratifying over the past two years,Aca,!A? May said. Aca,!A"The accomplishments that Gen. Hertling mentioned are clearly a tribute to each of you.Aca,!A?
May complimented Milano before welcoming him and his family.
Aca,!A"If there is encouragement today, itAca,!a,,cs that the Milanos are assuming the reins,Aca,!A? May said. Aca,!A"You couldnAca,!a,,ct pick a better command team and no team is better qualified for what lies ahead.Aca,!A?
Milano closed the ceremony by saying that he and his wife, Kim, are excited by the new assignment here.
Aca,!A"There are other missions at Fort Jackson, but our bread and butter, our reason for being, is to train 50 percent of the ArmyAca,!a,,cs enlistees for potential greatness in the Army,Aca,!A? Milano said. Aca,!A"ItAca,!a,,cs where the foundation of soldiering is established...for many of those who choose to serve our great Army. I am sobered at the magnitude of this critical mission and will do my level best to uphold the great tradition of excellence that has been established and honed here.Aca,!A?
Throughout his 31-year Army career, Milano has served stateside assignments in Texas, Kansas, Colorado, Georgia, Pennsylvania and Washington, DC. He served a total of eight years overseas, in countries such as Korea, Germany, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Kuwait and Iraq.
Social Sharing