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By Ms. Julia Bobick (USAREC)February 25, 2011

Change of Command
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

The U.S. Army Recruiting Command passed the unit colors on Brooks Field Feb. 17 and welcomed a new commanding general.

Lt. Gen. Benjamin Freakley, the commander of the U.S. Army Accessions Command and Fort Knox, hosted the morning ceremony during which Maj. Gen. Donald Campbell Jr. passed command to Maj. Gen. David Mann, a former USAREC deputy commander from August 2007-July 2008.

"When I originally came to USAREC as the (deputy commander) I really did not know a lot about recruiting, and during the short period of time I was with the command I really came to appreciate how hard our folks are working for us out there, and the importance of the mission to keep our Army strong," Maj. Gen. Mann said during an interview Feb. 14 at the USAREC headquarters, where he had already received several updates on the command.

"Robyn and I are extremely honored, humbled, and excited to be back with the USAREC team."

The Manns come to Fort Knox from Fort Bliss, Texas, where he was the commander of the 32d Army Air Missile Defense Command. In addition to thinking highly of the Knox community, he added that it is nice to see rolling hills, green trees, and grass again.

"It's good to be home," he added.

As the new USAREC commander, Maj. Gen. Mann said his primary challenge will be building upon all the great successes Maj. Gen. Campbell and the entire Recruiting Command team have achieved during the past couple of years.

"We must ensure that we don't lose any ground, and that we keep on looking for young men and women who have the necessary qualifications and, equally important, are genuinely committed to serving in the Army," he said.

The Army has not announced the follow-on assignment for Maj. Gen. Campbell, who has been on post since 2008-first as the commander of the Army Armor Center and Fort Knox, and then as the USAREC commander. He had also previously served at Fort Knox as the USAREC deputy commander from August 2004 to July 2005.

"Ann and I once again leave this command and the Fort Knox community with great memories and even greater friends. This team, as well as our community partners, hold a special place in (our) hearts. We will always be advocates for Army recruiting and the heavy lifting this command does for our Army," he said.

Maj. Gen. Campbell said he is incredibly proud to have served on the USAREC Team.

"As I've said often, I firmly believe it is the people of this command-not the economy-who make us successful," he point out. "It takes a team to recruit, and what a great team we have."