2nd Recruiting Brigade Lands New Commander

REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala.--The 2nd Recruiting Brigade’s tradition of excellence entered a new era Friday.

Col. Michael Faruqui succeeded Col. Glenn Richie as commander of the Eagle Brigade in a change of command ceremony at the Activity Field. Richie, commander since July 2009, will deploy as the deputy J-3 chief of staff for United Security Forces, Iraq. Faruqui last served as the director of intelligence, J-2 for the Special Operations Command-Europe.

“For the past two years, our time here in the great Southeast was wonderful,” Richie said.

Under Richie’s leadership, the 2nd Recruiting Brigade recruited more than 36,500 new Soldiers for the active Army and more than 7,000 new Soldiers for the Army Reserves, and was recognized as the top brigade in Recruiting Command for fiscal 2010.

“This great commander has accomplished quite a bit over the last couple of years here,” said Recruiting Command commander Maj. Gen. David Mann, who presided over the ceremony.

“This brigade under Col. Richie’s leadership has enlisted over 50,000 men and women to join the Army team,” Mann said.

In fiscal 2010, the brigade recruited more than 19,000 new Soldiers for the active Army (106 percent mission accomplishment) and about 3,500 new Soldiers for the Army Reserves (103 percent mission accomplishment). “Their percentages lead the whole command,” Mann said.

The Eagle Brigade manages active Army and Army Reserve recruiting operations throughout all or parts of eight Southeastern states (Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee), Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

“It’s all about the Soldiers,” Richie said. “They are the mere reason for our existence as leaders.”

The Kokomo, Ind., native and his wife, Lt. Col. Diane Richie, have two children and two grandchildren: Jessica, Brandon, Jayden and Joshua.

A native of San Jose, Calif., Faruqui and his wife, Amy, have two daughters, Hayley and Tiffany.

“You have done very well,” Faruqui told the brigade members. “You will continue to do well, and God bless you all.”