Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony L Taylor | Maj. Gen. Warren E. Phipps, left, commanding general, First Army Division-West, hands...... read more read more
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill.— The 85th Support Command, headquartered in Arlington Heights, Illinois, - 25 miles northwest of Chicago – conducted a relinquishment of command on June 7, near its unit headquarters, during a ceremony in which Brig. Gen. Gracus K. Dunn, outgoing commanding general of the 85th Support Command, and the deputy commanding general for support of First Army Division-West, relinquished command to Col. Robert W. Rauchle, former chief of staff of the 85th Support Command and interim commander.
Maj. Gen. Warren Phipps, commanding general, First Army Division-West and the ceremony host, thanked Dunn for his multicomponent, dual-role service amongst the command and an audience to include senior leaders from First Army, based out of Rock Island, Illinois; Division West, based out of Fort Hood, Texas; and the 351st Civil Affairs Command, based out of Mountain View, California.
“This ceremony today is a bit unique, and so is Brig. Gen. Dunn’s role in Division West. Gracus’ duties are some of the toughest and most complex of any U.S. Army Reserve general officer in our army. Gracus is dual-hatted as both the deputy commanding general [for support] of Division-West and as the commanding general of the 85th Support Command, Division West’s dedicated Army Reserve support command partner,” Phipps stated. “Let me simply say that Division West could not perform its mission without the 85th Support Command.”
In a near emotional farewell speech, Dunn thanked Phipps for the opportunities and shared experiences within this multicomponent structure relationship; and acknowledged numerous achievements from his staff sections across the past three years under his command.
“Sir, I truly appreciated working under your leadership, as you afforded me many opportunities as one of your deputies,” said Dunn.
“Collectively, the 85th Support Command achieved great success in the areas of personnel and medical readiness, and success in utilizing the roles of the Army Reserve Ambassador program. [The] 85th Support Command has exemplified the attributes of a professional and ‘get it done’ staff.”
Rauchle thanked Dunn for his service as commander and directed his comments to the soldiers of the “Custer Division” command. The unit’s lineage dates back to World War I when the unit was nicknamed after Maj. Gen. George A. Custer.
“I am proud to lead such a fine group of soldiers,” said Rauchle. “Sharpen your spurs, we will continue to charge forward!”
The 85th Support Command is part of a model multicomponent structure with First Army-Division West, tasked with a dual-assigned mission in support of First Army Division West and Installation Management Command. The 85th Support Command executes Title 10
authority for all Army Reserve Battalions assigned to Division West’s operational and training brigades and provides direct mission command authorities for the mobilization group and battalions assigned in support of IMCOM requirements.
Dunn also attended a farewell ceremony, a week earlier, at Fort Hood, Texas where he was recognized there for his duty as the deputy-commanding general for support of First Army Division-West.
Rauchle earned his commission through the Army Reserve Officer’s Training Corps, and was a distinguished military graduate. He is a graduate of the Ordnance Officer Basic and Advanced courses, the Combined Arms Services Staff School, the Support Operations Course, and the Command and General Staff Officer Course.
Several of Rauchle’s assignments across his twenty-eight year career in the active and Army Reserve include: Direct Support Platoon Leader, 864th Engineer Battalion, Fort Lewis, Washington; Ground Support Platoon Leader, Shop Officer, and Executive Officer, 542nd Maintenance Company, Fort Lewis, Washington, with duty in the Persian Gulf during Desert Shield/Desert Storm; Materiel Management Officer, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, Saudi Arabia during Desert Storm.
Among his awards and decorations are the Bronze Star, and Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters.
| Date Taken: | 06.07.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.07.2014 23:37 |
| Story ID: | 132445 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL, US |
| Web Views: | 289 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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