VILSECK, Germany – On Friday, Nov. 18 Quickstrike Troop of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment said goodbye to their commander Capt. Nicholas Forlenza during a change of command ceremony.
Changes of command ceremonies are common within the Army but what made this one so unique was the incoming commander. Forlenza relinquished his command to his older brother Capt. Salvatore Forlenza.
The Forlenza brothers have always been close, shared similar goals and seemed to be walking life paths that mirrored each others. Born a year apart in Naples Italy, the sons of a Senior Chief Petty Officer in the U.S. Navy, the brothers were always very close. Older brother Salvatore credits their father and the closeness of their family for being one of the reasons this pair has so much in common.
“Our father brought us up to do things together,” he said, “always focused on family and to look out for each other. Which I guess in turn led to us having very similar interests and goals.”
Self-proclaimed “Navy Brats” Sal and Nick grew up in Puerto Rico, Maryland and Florida. Both returned to Florida for college, where they attended the Florida Institute of Technology and were members of the same fraternity. Coming from a long family tradition of military men it seemed inevitable that they would follow dad into the family business.
“Our grandfather was in the Army during World War II,” Nick explained, “and our Dad was in the Navy for 27 years so I guess we really got use to the lifestyle.”
While in college brother Nick was studying aviation to become a pilot in the Navy. That plan changed when the Forlenzas met a group of friends that inspired them to pursue a different branch of service.
“We had mutual friends who were in ROTC,” Sal said, “In fact most of our fraternity was.”
Nick jokes that he was tricked into joining by the Army ROTC cadre, many of whom were prior Special Forces. “This Special forces Colonel and Sergeant Major forced me to join,” he said.
“They all had those magnetic personalities and they just drew you in,” Sal said, “That’s why we are here today.”
Upon completion of their college careers, Sal and Nick received degrees in Business Administration and were commissioned as Signal Branch officers in 2004 within six months of each other. Sal and Nick’s military careers continued to share many similarities. Both have been deployed three times and attended the same career course class.
Upon completion of their career course, Sal and Nick received their first choices of duty assignments. Both were assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Sal became the signal officer for 2nd Squadron. Nick took over the duties of signal officer for 3rd Squadron until May of 2010 when he assumed command of Quickstrike Troop.
Whether it was the family tradition or the alluring magnetism of some very coercive cadre that forced Nick and Sal into the Army, it is clear that these two have developed a dynamic draw of their own, that translates into being quality leaders.
Although Nick is leaving Quickstrike he won’t be far away, assuming command of Headquarters, Headquarters Troop, RSS Squadron later this month.
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