FORT KNOX, Ky. -- With the uncasing ceremony held June 25 at the LTG Timothy Maude Complex, the U.S. Army Human Resources Command is officially up and running at Fort Knox.
Since the earliest records of military history, leaders have used a visible symbol to serve as a rallying point for their Soldiers. Unit colors serve as such a symbol.
"The colors have recorded the contribution of the past and ensure inspiration for the future," explained Master Sgt. Arthur Wilde, the ceremony narrator.
The flag, which features the unit crest and three Army Superior Unit Awards that honor the command, was cased at the Human Resources Command in Alexandria, Va., June 16. That action signified the transfer of the HRC service provided in Alexandria, St. Louis, and Indianapolis.
The uncasing signified the unification of the three branches of HRC into one centralized command organization designated in 2005 under the Base Realignment and Closure Commission as part of the Human Resources Center of Excellence.
"This is great. It's been a five year process and I've been involved for four and half of those years," said Maj. Gen. Sean Byrne, HRC commander, following the ceremony. "Everything has come together; we have it all in one location. People are coming in every day, so our strength is up and we'll be able to close out the other locations soon. This is one-stop-shopping for the Army.
"I don't know that I would say it's a sigh of relief, but it's good that this day has finally come, that we are finally here," he added. "We are here, there is no anticipation anymore. We know our mission and all we can do now is improve the way we do business. There's just nothing but goodness for the Army in this."
The amalgamation of the three branches of HRC, which in 2003 combined the U.S. Total Army Personnel Command and Army Reserve Personnel Command, marks the first functional command to completely move to a new home.
"This ceremony-our uncasing ceremony is a big deal-a truly historic event," said Byrne. "This ceremony is a nod to our past and one to our future as a command, an Army, and a nation."
Byrne explained that the centralization of HRC makes the unit and the mission stronger. Bringing together all human resources personnel establishes a more cohesive unit while lending itself to change, all which Byrne said will better serve the Army.
"We had a lot of history here today. We had a lot of the lineage and how we used to do things," Byrne said. "Now, on the other hand, we are seeing how we are going to do things in the future, and I think it is going to be nothing but goodness for the Soldiers, family members, and retirees we help every day."
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