USARPAC welcomes new deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserves

By Staff Sgt. Cashmere C. JeffersonAugust 30, 2011

Maj. Gen. Beaerd addresses Formation and guest
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. William Beard, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army Pacific addresses guests during a Flying V ceremony held in his honor. The Flying V ceremony welcomes and honors senior Army officials when they assume duties or depart... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sergeant Major Frank Leota directs the formation
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Troop Commander, U.S. Army Pacific Command Sergeant Major Frank Leota directs the formation during a Flying V ceremony to welcome Maj. Gen. William Beard deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army Pacific. The Flying V ceremony welcomes... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Command Sergeant Major Leota directs Flying V formation
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Troop Commander, U.S. Army Pacific Command Sergeant Major Frank Leota directs the formation during a Flying V ceremony to welcome Maj. Gen. William Beard deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army Pacific. The Flying V ceremony welcomes... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
Flying V ceremony
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Commander of U.S. Army Pacific, Lt. Gen. Francis J. Wiercinski, hosted a Flying V ceremony to welcome Maj. Gen. William G. Beard, deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Reserves, U.S. Army Pacific Aug. 29 on Fort Shafter at historic Palm Circle.

Beard, who was promoted to major general before the ceremony, was the deputy commanding general, U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychology Operations Command, which he has held since May 2010, before coming to USARPAC July 21.

The Flying V ceremony welcomes and honors senior Army officials when they assume duties or depart from an Army command and refers to the way the colors are posted during the ceremony, which is V-shaped.

"A few weeks ago, we said farewell to a great Soldier, Brig. Gen. Alexander Kozlov," said Wiercinski. "Today, we close the circle by welcoming Maj. Gen. William Beard and his family into the USARPAC 'ohana' as the deputy commanding general, Army Reserve."

"Maj. Gen. Beard brings a tremendous reservoir of talent to USARPAC, combining excellence in the civilian life with a military background in communications, civil-military relations, training, and special operations," he said. "General Beard is unquestionably the right officer to accept these unique challenges."

Before becoming the commanding general of the U.S. Army Reserves, USARPAC, Beard commanded the 351st Civil Affairs Command in Mountain View, Calif., before deploying to Baghdad as the Deputy Commanding General for Civil Capacity, Multinational Corps-Iraq.

"I plan to work with my fellow deputy commanding generals and the commanding general to make this organization the epitome of any theater army," said Beard.

Beard reminded everyone that reservists serve across the Pacific.

"Now friends, you all know we remain engaged in war and one of my responsibilities is to ensure the Reserve forces are trained, equipped and ready to deploy as ordered. We have forces all over the Pacific Ocean, Guam, Samoa, Japan, Korea, Alaska, and here," said Beard.

"To my fellow reservists you can expect to see me at your home station," said Beard. "I will personally listen to you and understand your needs and take them back to this command to make sure we get them straight. The nation expects much of you and together we will ensure that you have everything you need to win, come home and assimilate back into society."

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