RED CLOUD GARRISON, South Korea - Amidst threatening overcast skies and high humidity the Soldiers and civilians of Red Cloud Garrison and numerous military and Korean dignitaries gathered to witness a historic first - a same-day change in leadership of both the garrison commander and command sergeant major - June 30 on the Village Green.
Col. Hank Dodge accepted the mantle of command from Col. Larry "Pepper" Jackson who had been in command of the garrison in Warrior Country since June 2007. Moments later, Command Sgt. Maj. Nidal Saeed assumed the top enlisted position from Command Sgt. Maj. Earlene Lavender.
Dodge arrived in Korea from the Pentagon where he served as the director of Special Operations for Headquarters, Department of the Army Operations and Training Directorate. While he had numerous overseas assignments, including deployments to Haiti, Iraq and Afghanistan, it is his first duty in South Korea.
Saeed is no stranger to Warrior Country. He arrived from Casey Garrison, where he held the top enlisted garrison position since December 2007.
The outgoing command team was lauded by host officer, Col. David Fox, commander of Installation Management Command-Korea, for their ability to sustain and support the 2nd Infantry Division, Eighth U.S. Army and U.S. Forces Korea, and their numerous force protection initiative and quality of life projects.
Fox praised them for a "continuous schedule of renovation and construction projects" that include the one-stop in- and out-processing center, expansion of the Casey Lodge and construction of a new lodge on Red Cloud Garrison, improved medical facilities including the transformation of the Troop Medical Clinic at Casey Garrison to a U.S. Army Health Clinic, construction of the Casey Elementary School, a child development center, the child and youth center and the Army Community Activities Centers.
"Col. Jackson and Command Sgt. Maj. Lavender, you should be very proud," he said. "I want to personally thank you and your entire team for everything you have accomplished."
Fox, who June 22 assumed the top post at IMCOM-Korea, also took the opportunity to welcome the new command team for bringing commitment, caring leadership and a record of success to the garrison.
"They understand caring for Soldiers and families are what are really important, and they will continue to ensure garrisons Red Cloud and Casey are taken care of - the right way."
In his final remarks to the community, Jackson expressed his appreciation to the leaders of the 2nd Infantry Division, past and current IMCOM-Korea commanders, fellow commanders and command sergeants major, leaders and organizations from the Korean community, and his family for their support. He saved his most poignant remarks for the directors and staff of the combined Red Cloud and Casey team.
"[Command Sgt. Maj. Lavender and I] realized years ago all we had to do was provide opportunities, direction, purpose and motivation, and then sit back and watch you all perform flawlessly as you did time and time again," he said. "You all have truly made USAG Red Cloud and Warrior Country a better place to work, live and train. Again, thank you all from the bottom of my heart."
Dodge, a Special Forces branch officer, who will be joined in Korea by his wife, was honored by the new assignment.
"I am enormously proud to be selected as your new garrison commander, a job which I accept with great pride and humble resolve to serve each and every one of you," he said.
"I pledge to build on the remarkable accomplishments of Col. Jackson and the Area I team. I plan to focus direction of readiness, sustainability, well-being and transformation. I will spend my time and energy on continuous improvement of the quality of life for our Soldiers, civilians and their family members."
Jackson was reassigned to U.S. Forces Korea where he will serve as chief of the Capabilities Division, Assistant Chief of Staff for Budget and Resource Management.
Lavender was reassigned as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Environmental Command at Fort Sam Houston, Texas.
Social Sharing