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MANEUVER CENTER OF EXCELLENCE - TEAM OF SOLDIERS, FAMILIES, AND CIVILIANS FROM THE BEST ARMY IN THE WORLD!
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Quick Links
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Nov. 5 at Wetherby Field
Gates open at 6 p.m. Concert begins at 7 p.m.
Free to all active-duty Soldiers, Family members and DoD ID card holders
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I cannot convey how proud and honored Patti and I are to become members of the MCoE and Fort Benning community.
Your reputation as a top-notch installation with superb community support is known throughout the Army. It is an incredible honor to join this 'team of teams.' Over the coming months, I look forward to getting to know each of you.
Patti and I look forward to embracing the incredible events and milestones we will reach together in the coming years as we complete Fort Benning's transformation to the fully-integrated Maneuver Center of Excellence and continue to fully support an Army at War.
I would like to thank MG Michael Ferriter and Margie for their commitment and leadership, not only to Fort Benning and the Chattahoochee Valley region, but to our Army during their 31 years of service. I wish them nothing but the best as they enter the next chapter of their lives.
As we press on there will remain one constant.
Our mission will remain sharp and focused:
- We will continue to provide the best training to today's American Soldier. When we are fully transitioned to the MCoE, more than 144,000 Soldiers will train here annually.
- We will continue to develop the BEST future training requirements, equipment and doctrine for the individual Soldier and the Maneuver Force,
- We will operate in a command climate of teamwork,
- We will consistently demonstrate inspired leadership throughout every level of command, and
- We will continue to provide our Soldiers and their families with a first-class quality of life because they deserve nothing less.
Together as we face the challenges that lie ahead around the globe and right here at home, I encourage each of you to remember to focus on the mission at all times. We train the best Soldiers in the world. We build the nation's might. And, thanks to the hard work from so many dedicated Soldiers and leaders here at Fort Benning - no one does it better.
One Force, One Fight!
Robert B. Brown
Major General, U.S. Army
Commanding General
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Maneuver Center Changes Command
Story by Vince Little
 | Photo by CW2 Jessica S. Kinsey
MCoE Change of Command Ceremony at the National Infantry Museum |
The Maneuver Center of Excellence and Fort Benning welcomed a new leader Thursday - and bid farewell to the MCoE's inaugural commander.
Maj. Gen. Robert Brown succeeded Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter during a change of command ceremony on Soldiers Field beside the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park. The reviewing officer was Lt. Gen. John Sterling, the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command's deputy commanding general and chief of staff.
Brown arrives after serving as chief of staff for U.S. Army Europe in Heidelberg, Germany. The Army hasn't announced Ferriter's next assignment.
"Bob Brown and his wife, Patti, bring enormous talent, experience and leadership to Fort Benning," Sterling told the audience. "We've put a lot of big rocks in (his) rucksack, but know that Mike Ferriter has cleared the trail, which should ease the endeavor. ... These are significant times for the Maneuver Center of Excellence and this community."
The MCoE, activated in October 2009, is the hub for the Army's new Infantry-Armor alliance. Fort Benning offers 92 Infantry courses, and when the Armor School's move from Fort Knox, Ky., is wrapped up next year, that number will grow to 134 overall.
Under the reorganization, every Infantry and Armor second lieutenant, captain and NCO will train at Fort Benning - along with 52 percent of all civilians coming into the Army. About 144,000 Soldiers are expected to be trained here annually.
"What an honor and privilege to have this opportunity," said Brown, who hasn't been stationed here since he was a lieutenant. "We feel so fortunate to be in this great community. The community support Fort Benning gets is known throughout the Army. ... We've had about 23 moves in 30 years, and we've never been greeted so warmly. We're just thrilled to be here as part of this great team."
Brown was commissioned an Infantry second lieutenant in 1981 upon graduation from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, where he was recruited to play basketball by then-head coach Mike Krzyzewski. Last year, he served as deputy commanding general of the 25th Infantry Division in Mosul, Iraq. Brown supported Operation Uphold Democracy in Haiti earlier in his career.
Along the way, he's been commander of D Company, 1st Battalion, 10th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division, at Fort Carson, Colo.; 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (Mechanized), 1st Cavalry Division, at Fort Hood, Texas, and Operation Joint Forge in Bosnia-Herzegovina; and 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Fort Lewis, Wash., and in Iraq.
Brown said the Armor School's transfer remains a top priority and he'll continue providing the best training possible to Soldiers passing through Fort Benning's gates.
Division, at Fort Lewis, Wash., and in Iraq.
Brown said the Armor School's transfer remains a top priority and he'll continue providing the best training possible to Soldiers passing through Fort Benning's gates.
"We build the nation's might," he said. "Transformation is so important, but the most important thing is preparing Soldiers for the future. We're a nation at war. We'll look at the future and constantly ask ourselves - how are we going to fight, how are we going to train? Here at Fort Benning, we're right on the cutting edge."
Ferriter, meanwhile, became Fort Benning's commander in June 2009. He was responsible for managing the historic Infantry-Armor consolidation and building the Maneuver Center.
"(He's) had far more to deal with than just a regular training center and he has managed it all superbly," Sterling said. "Change is always challenging - and big changes are even bigger challenges. This has been huge.
"To navigate through it successfully requires a sure-handed captain. Fortunately, we've had Mike Ferriter here to provide that leadership."
Under Ferriter's watch, the MCoE engineered new instruction and training concepts, incorporating the latest technology, and introduced changes to mounted and dismounted movement and maneuver for the future. The general also oversaw modernization of the Army combatives program.
"The credit for all we accomplished goes to the great team you see on the field and those represented in the stands," Ferriter said. "These men and women out here really are the best role models you'll ever see."
He said activating the MCoE and linking Infantry and Armor together is "simply the right thing to do."
"Our leaders from Fort Benning and Fort Knox have worked long hours to make it possible," he said.
This marked Ferriter's fourth stint at Fort Benning. In previous stops, he commanded 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, and the 11th Infantry Regiment. His wife, Margie, was born in Columbus and their children attended school here.
He praised his replacement, calling Brown the "perfect choice" to lead Fort Benning into this new era.
"You can tell how much this place touches you ... with all the great leaders and former commanders who have returned today," Ferriter said. "It's been a pleasure to call Fort Benning home, (and) I'm thrilled to give command over to such a warrior, good friend and family." |
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Photo Credit: Michael Molinaro (U.S. Army Markmanship Unit).
FORT LEE, Va. - Sgt. Sherri Gallagher leads her squad into simulated Afghan polling station to provide security at the U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition Oct. 21. Gallagher was named the Army Soldier of the Year at the Association of the U.S. Army award luncheon in Washington D.C. |
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Warrior target acquired: USAMU champion wins Army Soldier of the Year
WASHINGTON - A Soldier with 21 national rifle shooting records added one more trophy to the case Monday: the U.S. Army's Soldier of the Year.
 | | FORT LEE, Va. - Sgt. Sherri Gallagher departs the rifle range after qualifying during the U.S. Army Best Warrior Competition here Oct. 21. Gallagher was named the Army Soldier of the Year at the Association of the U.S. Army award luncheon Monday in Washington D.C. |
Sgt. Sherri Gallagher's young life has been one of high achievement. Now the 26-year old rifle shooter/instructor for the Army Marksmanship Unit is the first female to win the Army's Best Warrior competition.
"This is such an honor - I don't think it has sunk in yet," Gallagher said moments after the announcement Oct. 25th. "Any one of us could have won the competition. I learned so much from everybody out here and loved every minute of this experience."
Named the winner by Sergeant Major of the Army Kenneth Preston at the Association of the U.S. Army awards luncheon, the three-year veteran bested 11 other Soldiers representing the Army's major commands during the competition Oct. 18-22 at Fort Lee, Va.
"The reason I was successful is the training my sponsor, Sgt. 1st Class David Steinbach, developed for me," said Gallagher, a native of Prescott, Ariz. "He pushed me so hard that I was ready for everything during the competition. Nothing came as a shock and my confidence was really high. I wish that I could share this with him because it truly was a team effort."
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Faces of BRAC
SFC Vernon Prohaska
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SFC Vernon Prohaska started visiting Fort Benning on temporary duty assignments during the summer of 2006. The liaison officer for the Strategic Plans Cell Headquarters, U.S. Armor School and former gunnery course instructor was tasked with identifying gaps in the Armor School's requirements previously provided to the BRAC team and strategic planners at Fort Benning. "It was my job to help decision makers understand what a tank range needed to support the One Station Unit Training (OSUT) soldiers from the Armor and Cavalry side," Prohaska said.
To learn more about SFC Prohaska's contributions to the design of the Armor School's tank training ranges, read the full story in the Bayonet.
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Honor Bus to Bring Vets to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center
Columbus, Georgia - Patterned after the Honor Flight that takes World War II veterans to Washington, DC, the Honor Bus will provide a trip to the National Infantry Museum for veterans.
Scheduled for Veterans Day, November 11, this is the second year for the tour sponsored by Batson-Cook. Last year 52 vets from the West Point/LaGrange area participated. This year the trip is originating in the Auburn/Opelika area.
Company spokesperson Rebecca Gaston says the veterans will start with breakfast at 8:00 am in Auburn then travel to the Columbus museum where they will be treated to a tour, an IMAX movie, and lunch banquet before leaving about 4pm. The free tour is for veterans of any branch of service during any time period.
Last year Gaston says the majority of the participants were World War II veterans, but this year several younger veterans have already signed up. When the bus returned to West Point in 2009, flag-waving company employees greeted the participants. One Vietnam vet commented that he didn't get that kind of welcome when he returned from war.
Batson-Cook, the contractor for construction of the National Infantry Museum, decided to host the tour to show their appreciation for veterans. "When we were building the museum we saw firsthand the dedication and sacrifice the soldiers and their families made," said Gaston. "It became very personal to us as a company."
Some seats are still available and veterans who are interested in participating may contact Rebecca Gaston, Denise Oliver or Che Ziebarth at 706-643-2500 or via e-mail at [email protected].
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The following events are scheduled to take place on Fort Benning:
- NOV 4 - MCoE Change of Command, National Infantry Museum, 3 p.m.
- NOV 5 - Retiree Appreciation Day
- NOV 5 - Trace Adkins at Wetherby Field, 6 p.m.
- NOV 7 - Patton Village Town Hall at McBride Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.
- NOV 9 - Indianhead Village Town Hall at Wilson Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.
- NOV 11 - Veterans Day federal holiday
- NOV 12 - Veterans Day training holiday
- NOV 13 - Wetherby Field - Movie Night
- NOV 16 - East Main Post Village Town Hall at White Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.
- NOV 18 - 11:30 a.m. - Benning Conference Center - Native American Heritage lunch
- NOV 18 - Custer/Upatoi Villages Town Hall at McBride Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.
- NOV 30 - Davis/Bouton Villages Town Hall at Stowers Elementary School, 5:30 p.m.
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Thank you for taking the time to look through the Fort Benning E-Newsletter. We will continue to tell our Soldiers' great stories through this and other mediums. The Benning E-Newsletter will be sent out weekly. Please support us by forwarding this email to a friend via the "forward email" link at the bottom of the newsletter.
Sincerely,
Fort Benning Public Affairs Office |
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