FORT KNOX, Ky. (January 13, 2011) - The company commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary), turned over command during a change of command ceremony here at Natcher Physical Fitness Center on Jan. 13.
During the ceremony, Capt. Brian W. Pilch, a Seward, Alaska native, officially handed over command to Capt. Sarah N. Holley, a native of Elizabethtown, Ky.
Pilch, the 3d ESC HHC commander since May of 2009, said he would miss his position as company commander, but realized it was his time to move on. He mentioned that he is highly confident that Capt. Holley will do great in the difficult, but rewarding position of company commander.
While the HHC commander for the 3d ESC, Capt. Pilch successfully redeployed the unit from its deployment to Iraq in August 2009. Pilch also successfully deployed and redeployed the unit during its most recent deployment to Haiti in support of relief efforts stemming from a 7.0 magnitude earthquake which struck the country on Jan. 12, 2010.
"Brig. Gen. Akin, Command Sgt. Maj. Tennant, thank you for the opportunity to take care of the Army's most precious resource, Soldiers and their Families," Pilch said during his speech. "To the HHC 3d ESC, you are a team but more than that, you are a family. I have seen this unit do amazing things, from Iraq to Haiti."
Officiating the ceremony was Col. Marvin S. Whitaker, the 3d ESC's chief of staff, who praised Pilch for his diligence during his tenure of command.
"The Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) is an exceptional command opportunity," said Whitaker. "Very few officers get the chance to command a unit as diverse and complicated as this."
Whitaker mentioned that in May 2009, Pilch took on one of the Army's toughest challenges when he assumed command.
"With Capt. Pilch's leadership, headquarters and headquarters company met every challenge head on and in the process improved its deploy ability, and ability to provide unparallel support to this operational logistics headquarters," said Whitaker."
The position of company commander with the 3d ESC is different than with most line units. In most line units throughout the U.S. Army, the company commander is often the organization's most senior officer.
With the 3d ESC being mostly comprised of officers and senior noncommissioned officers, this will hardly be the case. As a newly appointed company commander, Holley is now HHC commander of all Soldiers assigned to the command, to include Brig. Gen. Robin B. Akin, the 3d ESC's commander.
"As commander, I'm looking forward to taking care of Soldiers," said Capt. Holley. "I know it's going to be a unique challenge but I'm ready to move forward."
Photos and story by Sgt. Michael Behlin, 3d Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) public affairs.
For queries, contact 3d Sustainment Command Public Affairs at: (502) 624-8601.
For high-resolution photos and stories by the 3d Sustainment Command, please contact the Digital Video and Imagery Distribution System by calling (678) 421-6612 or access them online at http://www.dvidshub.net/units/3sce.
Social Sharing