REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. – Gen. Ann E. Dunwoody relinquished command at Headquarters, Army Materiel Command Headquarters, here, Aug. 7. Gen. Raymond T. Odierno, Army Chief of Staff, hosted the time honored change of command ceremony.
“It’s great to be here on a day of celebration, a celebration honoring the accomplishments of Army Materiel Command. A unit that has frankly changed the dynamics of logistics for the United States Army,” said Odierno.
U.S. Army Materiel Command has a complex mission ranging from development of sophisticated weapon systems and cutting-edge research, to maintenance and distribution of spare parts. If a soldier shoots it, drives it, flies it, wears it, communicates with it or eats it, AMC provides it.
Odierno credits Dunwoody’s vision and determination as the key factors in transforming AMC into the Army’s Lead Materiel Integrator and joint logistics supplier, all while streamlining efficiencies and caring for the soldiers, civilians and their families.
“Ann has been and is today a soldier first…always leading by example,” said Odierno.
Considered throughout her career as a trailblazer for women in the Army, Dunwoody was the first female four-star, assuming command of AMC in November 2008 and was the 17th commander in AMC’s 50-year history.
During her tenure, Dunwoody oversaw the transition of AMC through the 2011 Base Realign and Closure from Fort Belvoir, Va., the Army-wide synchronization and integration of the Directorate of Logistics and the drawdown of equipment in Iraq, all while providing uninterrupted support to the warfighter.
After affectionately thanking her husband for his many years of support, Dunwoody took a moment to acknowledge the AMC workforce.
“To the 69,000 soldiers and civilians of Army Materiel Command you have made today and every single day of the last four years very special to me. I have watched you bear so much of our nation’s burden over the last four years,” said Dunwoody.
In 37 years, she has commanded at every level. As a senior leader, she commanded the 10th Division Support Command at Fort Drum, New York; the 1st Corps Support Command at Fort Bragg, N.C.; the Military Traffic Management Command/Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command in Alexandria, Va.; and the Combined Arms Support Command at Fort Lee, Va..
She reflected on her time at AMC and the organizations’ impact on the Army.
“I’ve had the privilege to go to Iraq and Afghanistan many times and I got to meet with leaders one on one…and they all told me the same thing…they told me they never worried about logistics and I can’t imagine a better compliment,” said Dunwoody.
The change of command ceremony also ushered in the leadership of Gen. Dennis L. Via. Via is no stranger to AMC’s daunting task of equipping the force, as he has served as the AMC deputy commanding general since May 2011.
Lt. Gen. Patricia E. McQuistion will serve as the new AMC Deputy commanding general. Gen. Dunwoody’s retirement ceremony is scheduled for Aug. 15 in Washington, D.C.