FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson has a new commander. Brig. Gen. Bryan Roberts, former deputy commander of the U.S. Army Recruiting Command at Fort Knox, Ky., assumed command Tuesday of the Army Training Center and Fort Jackson from outgoing commander, Maj. Gen. James Milano.
Roberts, 52, is a veteran of three tours in Iraq, and has also served as commander of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team with the 1st Cavalry Division in Fort Hood, Texas. He also has worked at the White House military office and on the Joint Staff at the Pentagon.
"I've heard nothing but great things about the tremendous support (Fort Jackson has) received from our partners in the great city of Columbia and throughout the Midlands area," Roberts said during Tuesday's change of command ceremony. "That's easy to see by your attendance here today. Thanks for everything you do for our fort, and I look forward to continuing this great partnership."
Milano, who is leaving the Army after 33 years in uniform to take an executive position with Target Corp., welcomed Roberts to his new assignment in Columbia.
"It's great to see you again," Milano said to Roberts. "It's wonderful to have you and your family here taking the reins, and I know you will continue to improve what we have going on here at Fort Jackson. The Army has once again managed to put the right guy in the saddle, at the right place and the right time. Good luck to you, my friend. You are in for a terrific time."
Lt. Gen. John Sterling, TRADOC deputy commanding general and chief of staff, highlighted Roberts' experience in recruiting, but said Roberts has been involved with training, as well.
"He's recently had a hand in training, although in a slightly different venue," Sterling said, "as he was chief of staff of the Office of Security Cooperation in Iraq, responsible for training the new Iraqi army."
Sterling said Roberts is acquainted with the challenges and rewards of manning the Army with new Soldiers.
"He is best known to those of us in TRADOC as a former deputy commanding general of the Army's recruiting command," he said. "So he knows all about new Soldiers and all about the importance of the relationship between our command responsible for recruiting new Soldiers, and our command responsible for training them."
Roberts said he is looking forward to his tour on Fort Jackson.
"I've been in the Army for 28 years, and leading Soldiers and commanding units is what I enjoy doing most -- working with people and making sure we provide the Army with the best it can have here at Fort Jackson," Roberts said. "It's a tremendous honor to have taken command today."
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