Photo By Staff Sgt. April Melton | Col. William J. Schafer, center, outgoing commander, 5th Armored Brigade, proudly...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas – First Army Division West’s 5th Armored Brigade, the “Dagger” Brigade, conducted a change of command ceremony under sunny skies on the fresh green lawn of Noel Field here June 7.
Complete with a salute battery from the 2nd Bn., 3rd Field Artillery Regt., 1st Bde., 1st Armor Div., and the 1st Armor Division’s Army band, the precision-led traditional ceremony formalized that Col. Eric O. Schacht took charge from Col. William J. Schafer, with a large group of distinguished guests, community leaders, soldiers, civilians and proud family members from near and afar in attendance.
The ceremony was hosted by Commanding General Maj. Gen. Charles Anderson, First Army Division West, who spoke to the brigade formation and guest audience on a variety of accomplishments of the brigade and the Schafer family.
“Col. Schafer guided First Army’s largest multi-component training support brigade during a period of significant transformation ... He has been responsible for nine training support battalions and a brigade headquarters charged with the training and mobilization of over 17,000 soldiers and over 155 units for deployment,” said Anderson.
Next, Anderson expressed his confidence in the abilities of Schacht as he takes the brigade lead.
“Eric … you have been a member of the Fort Bliss and El Paso communities for some time now, serving as the J-3 operations director at Joint Task Force North for the last year,” said Anderson. “You’ve had two combat deployments to Iraq and you have trained Afghan army and police forces … you have had other tough assignments and you have spent a lot of time training soldiers. You are a perfect fit.”
Schafer then took the podium to express gratitude to many, and pride in his unit.
“It is difficult for me to state in simple words the honor I have felt to have had this command opportunity, but let me express that this command has been the highlight of my military career,” said Schafer. “Undoubtedly, any success that I have had must be attributed to the professional leaders, soldiers, observer-controller/trainers, fine civilians and supportive family members that have made this formation better... You are a formation of deeply dedicated professionals and extraordinarily great Americans. It has been my pleasure to serve you.”
Schafer will continue his military career after departing Fort Bliss as the chief of current and future operations – G-3/5/7 - at First Army headquarters in Rock Island, Ill., under the command of Lt. Gen. Mick Bednarek.
Finally, Schacht addressed his brigade and the audience with confidence, and thanked his family and many others for their support over the years.
“Generals Bednarek and Anderson, I am honored by the opportunity to lead the 5th Armored Brigade. We will not let you down,” said Schacht. “To the soldiers and leaders of the ‘Dagger’ Brigade – I promise you 110 percent and I expect the same from you – so let’s strap it on!”
The traditional ceremony ended with a reception featuring delicious food and a relaxed atmosphere held at the Old Fort Bliss Museum.
The more than 700-strong 5th Armored Brigade, headquartered in Fort Bliss, Texas, with elements in six states, provides realistic “theater immersion” training to joint war fighters from all branches of the military service, from active, reserve and National Guard components. The entire brigade mission is to train service members for combat in Iraq or Afghanistan or for operations in other contingencies such as Haiti, Guantanamo Bay, and protection of the National Capital Region.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.20.2011 17:01 |
| Story ID: | 72439 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 402 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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