WIESBADEN, Germany - Col. J. Richard Jordan III assumed command of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Europe District at a Change of Command ceremony at the Schloss Biebrich, here, Feb. 10, 2011.
Prior to assuming command, Jordan served as the Division Engineer of the 1st Armored Division, here, and at the U.S. Division - Center Baghdad, Iraq. While in Baghdad he advised the area commanding general on all aspects of engineering. Additionally, Jordan led a 30-person staff that synchronized all engineering, Geospatial Intelligence, Explosive Ordnance Disposal, and Improvised Explosive Device Defense operations within the division.
He succeeds Col. John Kem, who is leaving the district to become the chief engineer for the NATO Training Mission and Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan in Kabul. While there, Kem will support the NATO Training Mission -Afghanistan and the Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan missions by overseeing the construction of NATO training facilities throughout Afghanistan.
Presiding over the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Peter "Duke" DeLuca, the commander and division engineer with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, North Atlantic Division.
While speaking at the ceremony, DeLuca praised Kem for his inspiring leadership and vision which ensured the district superbly executed a program totaling over $2.1 billion. He said Kem strengthened relationships with their international partners and added that he was honored to have worked with Kem.
Additionally, DeLuca presented Kem with the Legion of Merit for meritorious service during his tenure.
Jordan was commissioned in the Army in July 1988 after earning a Bachelor of Science and Engineering degree from Princeton University and has held a variety of key positions throughout his career.
During his captain and lieutenant years, Jordan served in a variety of engineer staff and leadership positions at the platoon, company, battalion and division levels at Fort Irwin, Calif.; Fort Drum, N.Y.; Fort Ord, Calif.; Fort Lewis, Wash.; and Camp Casey, South Korea. Later, he served as Contingency Engineer Plans Officer for Headquarters U.S. European Command in Stuttgart, Germany and Deputy Senior Engineer Trainer at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, Calif.; and both Battalion S3 and Executive Officer for the 37th Engineer Battalion (Corps) (Airborne) at Fort Bragg, N.C.
Prior to assuming his duties at U.S. Division - Center, Jordan commanded the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Charleston District in South Carolina, where he was responsible for the implementation of the $1 billion Fort Jackson Military Construction program. The district's primary mission was to implement federal programs and projects to meet the engineering, environmental and emergency management needs for South Carolina.
Jordan holds a Master's degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. Furthermore, he is a graduate of the Naval College of Command and Staff, the Army command and General Staff College, and the Engineer Officer Basic and Advanced Courses.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Korea Defense Service Medal, the Humanitarian Service Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the Range Tab, the Sapper Tab, and the Senior Parachutist Badge. Jordan is a registered Professional Engineer in the state of Virginia.
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