FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. -- Brig. Gen. Peggy Combs became the commandant of the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School and 27th Chief of Chemical in a ceremony held at the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence plaza Sept. 7.
Maj. Gen. Mark Yenter, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood commanding general, told those in attendance it was an honor to recognize Col. Jeffrey Brodeur, USACBRNS assistant commandant, during the ceremony for his efforts as acting commandant and to welcome Combs and her Family to Fort Leonard Wood.
"(Brodeur) is a confident and steady-handed leader. He provided continuity for the CBRN Soldiers, leaders, civilians and Families under this regiment for a year," Yenter said. "We are fortunate to have you and Elsa (Brodeur) as part of our team and thanks for all you have done as the assistant commandant and the acting commandant."
"It takes a team to make things happen, and my thanks to the entire CBRN team for keeping the momentum going as you have gone through this transition," Yenter added. "It has been seamless; it has been incredibly successful."
Yenter said he was confident in Combs' ability to lead the Chemical Corps into the future as a 21st century thinker and brilliant role model.
"To our new commandant, Brig. Gen. Peggy Combs -- congratulations and welcome. I cannot think of a more qualified officer to assume this position," Yenter said. "As an expert and a leader in the CBRN field, Brig. Gen. Combs brings the right combination of knowledge, leadership and experience to this important position."
Combs thanked everyone for attending the ceremony because the support meant a lot to the regiment.
"Our regiment is one of the smallest in the Army," Combs said. "We are indeed small, but mighty. During this transition of building the Army of 2020, there is no more critical regiment in our nation than this one. Our mission of supporting and combating weapons of mass destruction for this nation and our Army is simply too important to be forgotten.
"I look forward to leading this regiment over the next year or two into the Army of 2020, setting that stage for all of us as we all excel," Combs added. "We have changed a lot, we have a lot farther to go, so as one team, one small and mighty team, we are going to make it happen. I look forward to serving with all of you."
Combs was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Chemical Corps in May 1985. Her previous assignments include the 2nd Armored Division in Fort Hood, Texas; 25th Infantry Division (Light) in Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; 3rd Infantry Division (Mechanized) in Fort Stewart, Ga.; the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence, 84th Chemical Battalion and 3rd Chemical Brigade in Fort Leonard Wood, Mo.; the National Ground Intelligence Center in Charlottesville, Va.; U.S. Army Pentagon in Washington, D.C.; U.S. Army Cadet Command in Fort Knox, Ky.; She has deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom for the U.S. Central Command in MacDill AFB, Fla. and for the Iraq Training and Advisory Mission, U.S. Forces Iraq in Baghdad.
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