Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | After being promoted, Col. David P. Eclips, a Las Vegas resident, poses with Brig....... read more read more
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BELL, Calif. – Col. David P. Eclips, a Las Vegas, Nevada resident, assumed command of the 326th Financial Management Support Center in a change of command ceremony at the U.S. Army Reserve Center in Bell, California, from Col. Kathleen A. McDonnell, who had led the unit for two years, Nov. 22.
Eclips began his military career upon his commission as a Military Police Officer from the University of Nevada-Reno ROTC program in 1988, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in General Studies. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Military Police Corps in September 1988.
The Bell reserve center was abuzz with excitement as the unit’s company prepared for the ceremony. Before the official ceremony, Eclips was promoted to colonel by special guest Brig. Gen. (P) Scottie Carpenter, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commanding general, as his son Michael pinned on his new rank and his wife Lupe place his hat with the new rank on his head.
“I would like to extend my sincere thanks for everyone that has come out today to witness this memorable event. Being selected for promotion to colonel is a tremendous accomplishment,” said Eclips. “I would also like to thank my wife, my son, and family who have supported me throughout my years in the Army. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
The modest ceremony began with the traditional ceremonial pageantry. The standing unit was summoned to order arms. The audience stood for the Presentation of the Colors and Honors, and the unit was brought to present arms, then to parade rest. Then, the official party made an inspection of the troops. These displays of uniformity were executed with discipline and precision.
The mission of the Financial Management Support Center is to provide technical oversight for all finance operations, including negotiations with banking facilities, advising unit commanders on the use of local currency and coordination with national providers and providing timely contractual and procurement payments and theater disbursing capability.
The Defense Travel System is one of the more difficult systems that service members must learn and navigate. Eclips understands this and said, “I intend to send the Finance Tiger Teams to go out to units within the 311th ESC to assist in processing pay.”
During the reserve center ceremony, the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the unit took place. The sergeant major, who is the keeper of the colors, passed the colors to Col. McDonnell, representing the outgoing commander. She then passed the colors to Brig. Gen. (P) Scottie Carpenter who was the representative of the higher command, symbolizing the relinquishment of her command. The higher commander then delivered the colors to Col. Eclips. Finally, the new commander passed the colors back to the sergeant major, who is charged with protecting it. At the end of the ceremony, the commander of the higher command ordered the new commander to take charge of his unit.
In his speech Eclips also said, “It will be my first duty to take care of Soldiers and ensuring they have the necessary tools and support to continue their success in their finance mission.”
The 326th FMSC was constituted Sept. 16, 1988, in the Army Reserves as the 326th Finance Group (FG), assigned to the Sixth United States Army Group and activated at Garden Grove,
California. The unit was reorganized and redesigned on Oct. 16, 2007, as the 326th Financial Management Support Center.
The 326th FMSC deployed from December 2009 to November 2010 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
| Date Taken: | 11.22.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 11.28.2014 16:50 |
| Story ID: | 149033 |
| Location: | BELL, CA, US |
| Web Views: | 529 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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