Anniston Army Depot welcomed its 33rd commander Aug. 16 in a change of command ceremony held in the installation's industrial area.
During the ceremony, presided over by Maj. Gen. Michael Terry, commanding general of TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, the depot's colors passed from Col. Timothy Sullivan to Col. Brent Bolander.
Bolander comes to the depot from Afghanistan, where he served as the senior logistics advisor and director for strategic operations for the deputy commander support operations, NATO Training Mission/Combined Security Transition Command.
The multiple deployments Bolander has had in his career help him understand how critical ANAD's mission to overhaul and rebuild combat vehicles and small arms is to the warfighter, according to Terry.
"He knows very well what you all do to help the warfighter," said Terry. "He is a seasoned officer who knows what right looks like. He knows how to lead and, more importantly, he knows how to build a team and take care of people."
In his remarks following the ceremony, Bolander thanked the workforce for providing him with the equipment he and his troops needed throughout his career.
"As a Soldier and a recipient of your products for over 25 years, it is truly a pleasure to put a name to a face and personally shake your hand and say thank you, not only for those quality products you have provided to our military, but also for your continued service and personal dedication and sacrifices," he said.
Both Bolander and Sullivan referenced the depot's long history during their remarks, each taking a moment to comment on the installation's promising future. Sullivan, however, also looked at the history of the depot's workforce.
He told of his first directors' meeting in 2010, when he was introduced to the installation's leadership. As each individual greeted their new commander they told how many years of service they had at ANAD. By the end of the introductions, Sullivan had tallied 775 years of experience among the 17 directors.
"Needless to say, I was humbled," he said. "I quickly learned that the passion and determination to be the best runs very deep in this organization."
Sullivan explained the depot's depth of passion and determination means there is well over 63,000 years of experience throughout the installation.
"We currently have the most experienced workforce in the world working ground combat systems, Department of Defense bridging, towed artillery and small caliber weapons," said Sullivan.
Sullivan gave credit for each success during his tour at Anniston to the entire team -- from the ANAD workforce to TACOM LCMC and the depot's partners in private industry and throughout the surrounding community.
Bolander is now beginning what he calls his biggest challenge as the new commander, "getting my arms around this entire organization and its many moving parts."
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