JOINT FORCES TRAINING BASE LOS ALAMITOS, Calif. - The 11th Military Police Brigade gathered here, July 17, to welcome their new leader into the fold, while simultaneously bidding farewell to their outgoing commander.
Brig. Gen. Scottie D. Carpenter took command of the unit from Brig. Gen. Robert W. Kenyon during a change of command ceremony at the JFTB airfield Sunday. Maj. Gen. Sanford Holman, commanding general of the 200th Military Police Command, presided over the ceremony as the reviewing officer.
The new commander brought a bit of history with him by conducting the traditional review of troops in a vintage World War II jeep.
"Today, I'm taking over a great organization that is ready to go to the next level," Carpenter said during his speech. "This is a unit that moved from one cost to the other and served a deployment in Iraq."
Carpenter took time to praise those who have helped him along the way as he greeted his new soldiers.
"Nobody gets to where they are without fine soldiers to teach them," he said. "Many have taught me how to be the leader I am today."
Kenyon expressed gratitude and emotion during his speech, thanking all the soldiers, families and friends in attendance.
"This is a difficult day for me,: said Kenyon. "i have a lot of emotional ties to this unit."
He paused for a moment, letting the entire culmination of his career sink in. And as he fought back his tears, he thanked his wife, Ha, for staying by his side through numerous deployments and commands. This day also marked their 29th wedding anniversary.
The general compared his command time of the 11th MP Bde. to that of a parent raising a child.
"Every command is like a baby," he said. "You want it to grow, so you nurture it and before you know it, that baby becomes a young adult."
Kenyon also welcomed Carpenter with words of encouragement upon his grasping of the reins.
"The brigade is extremely fortunate to have Brig. Gen. Carpenter as its new leader," he said.
Holman highlighted the frenetic pace of the brigade as one of primary challenges for Carpenter as he takes command.
"This brigade has faced near constant change," said Holman. "The pace has increased and they've handled it like champions. They continue to take the fight to the enemy in keeping with the warrior ethos. May God abundantly bless you and God bless America."
Kenyon retires after serving as commander since July 2007. Upon taking command of the unit - whose headquarters was originally located in Ashely, Pa. - he deployed with the brigade to Iraq to support Joint Task Force 134, Multi-National Forces-Iraq. Upon the brigade's redeployment, they relocated cross-country to Los Alamitos, Calif.
Prior to leading the 11th MP Bde., Kenyon commanded the 641st Area Support Group out of St. Petersburg, Fla., deploying with them in 2004. During his time on active duty, he served at various levels of command in esteemed units such as the 2nd Infantry Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. Kenyon left the active duty ranks in 1993 to pursue a civilian career in law enforcement. He is currently the Chief of Police Services, Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Car System. Amongst his many decorations and achievements over a three-decades-long career are the Bronze Star, Legion of Merit and the Meritorious Service Medal with seven oak leaf clusters.
Carpenter has served in various Army Reserve commands throughout his career, ranging from platoon leader to deputy to deputy brigade commander. His decorations and achievements include the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster, Legion of Merit and Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters. In his civilian career, he serves as a special agent in charge for the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation.