Dunwoody relinquishes command of Army Materiel Command

By Adoratia Purdy, AMCAugust 15, 2012

AMC Change of Command
1 / 2 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Army Materiel Command changes leaders with the ceremonial passing of
the guidon. Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody receives the flag for the last time from
Command Sergeant Major Ronald T. Riling, AMC command sergeant major, during the change-of-command ceremony,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army)
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AMC Change of Command
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REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. (Aug. 7, 2012) -- Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody relinquished command of Army Materiel Command during a ceremony at AMC's headquarters at Redstone Arsenal, Aug. 7, 2012.

Chief of Staff of the Army Gen. Raymond T. Odierno hosted the time-honored change-of-command ceremony.

"It's great to be here on a day of celebration, a celebration honoring the accomplishments of Army Materiel Command. A unit that has frankly changed the dynamics of logistics for the United States Army," said Odierno.

U.S. Army Materiel Command, or AMC, has a complex mission ranging from development of sophisticated weapon systems and cutting-edge research, to maintenance and distribution of spare parts. If a Soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, communicates with it or eats it, AMC provides it.

Odierno credits Dunwoody's vision and determination as the key factors in transforming AMC into the Army's Lead Materiel Integrator and joint logistics supplier, all while streamlining efficiencies and caring for the Soldiers, civilians and their families.

"Ann has been, and is today a Soldier first, always leading by example" said Odierno.

Considered throughout her career as a trailblazer for women in the Army, Dunwoody was the first female four-star general, assuming command of AMC in November 2008 and was the 17th commander in AMC's 50 year history.

During her tenure Dunwoody oversaw the transition of AMC through the 2011 Base Realignment and Closure from Fort Belvoir, Va., the Army-wide synchronization and integration of the Directorate of Logistics and the drawdown of equipment in Iraq, all while providing uninterrupted support to the warfighter.

After affectionately thanking her husband for his many years of support, Dunwoody took a moment to acknowledge the AMC workforce.

"To the 69,000 Soldiers and civilians of Army Materiel Command, you have made today and every single day of the last four years very special to me. I have watched you bear so much of our nation's burden over the last four years" said Dunwoody

In 37 years she has commanded at every level. As a senior leader, she commanded the 10th Division Support Command at Fort Drum, N.Y.; the 1st Corps Support Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; the Military Traffic Management Command/Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command in Alexandria, Va.; and the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Va.

She reflected on her time at AMC and the organizations' impact on the Army.

"I've had the privilege to go to Iraq and Afghanistan many times and I got to meet with leaders one on one, and they all told me the same thing, they told me they never worried about logistics and I can't imagine a better compliment," said Dunwoody.

The change-of-command ceremony also ushered in the leadership of Gen. Dennis L. Via. Via is no stranger to AMC's daunting task of equipping the force, as he has served as the AMC deputy commanding gGeneral since May 2011.

Lt. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion will serve as the new AMC deputy commanding general. Dunwoody's retirement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 15, 2012, in Washington, D.C.

Related Links:

VIDEO: http://bcove.me/g8rvk398

Via takes command of AMC, becomes first 4-star signal officer

U.S. Army Materiel Command

Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno

Army.mil: Inside the Army News

Army.mil: Women in the Army

Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno on Facebook

Photos of ceremony on Flickr

Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond T. Odierno on Twitter

BIOGRAPHY: Lt. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion (AKO login required)