483rd Transportation Battalion welcomes incoming commander

Photo By Staff Sgt. Hector Corea | Soldiers with the color guard of the 483rd Transportation Battalion stand in formation during a change of command ceremony Sept. 13 in Vallejo, Calif. The 483rd Transportation Battalion gathered to bid farewell to their outgoing commander, Lt. Col. James Sherman, and welcome their incoming commander, Lt. Col. Kevin McKenzie. The change of command is a simple, traditional Army event that is rich with symbolism and heritage. (Photo by Army Sgt. Hector Corea, 302nd MPAD)  

VALLEJO, CA, UNITED STATES

09.13.2014

Courtesy Story

302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

By Sgt. Hector Corea
302nd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

VALLEJO, Calif. – The 483rd Transportation Battalion welcomed a new commander and bid farewell to its former commander during a change of command ceremony in Vallejo, California, Sept. 13.

Lt. Col. James Sherman, outgoing commander of the 483rd Transportation Battalion, made parting remarks to his former Soldiers about their service under his command.

"I stand here today honored to hand over the reins of the 483rd Transportation Battalion," said Sherman. "It's been a privilege to serve as your commander for the past two years."

"It's been a challenging two years," said Sherman, a native of Hawaii. "We've had unique mission sets and locations, with different operations and moving parts."

The 483rd Transportation Battalion focuses on providing key movement and logistics support to fellow units. While commanding the 483rd Transportation Battalion, several units under Sherman's command participated in a variety of training exercises, including a Joint Logistics Over the Shore exercise in Camp Pendleton, California, a Seaport Operational Exercise in Fort Eustis, Virginia, and terminal exercises at Port Hueneme, California.

"The 483rd has gained a wealth of experience from all our operations," said Sherman. "My advice to [the incoming commander] is to use our Soldiers to the best of their abilities."

One such Soldier, Cpl. Erin Bridges, a transportation management coordinator with 711th Transportation Company, said she was thankful for the training opportunities and command climate provided by Sherman.

"Ever since day one with my unit, I've been helped along the way with the support of my command," said Bridges, a Benicia, California, native. "It's been quite a positive experience and I'm thankful for the culture here of advancement and improvement."

Command Sgt. Maj. Donald Seay, the senior enlisted adviser of the 483rd Transportation Battalion, said he felt privileged to have worked with Sherman and wished him well on his future endeavors.

"The most important thing I learned from Lt. Col. Sherman was his humility in commanding," said Seay. "I'm thankful for his humble leadership."

Lt. Col. Kevin McKenzie, incoming commander of the 483rd Transportation Battalion, encouraged his new Soldiers to uphold the standards of excellence set by Sherman.

"All of the current policies will remain in affect," said McKenzie. "I look forward to working with and getting to know all the Soldiers of the 483rd."

Looking forward, the 483rd plans to continue their training pursuits and logistics mission under McKenzie's leadership.

"Lt. Col. McKenzie is a go-getter, and has a philosophy of action," said Seay. "He demands excellence and we plan to uphold that standard."

• Date Taken: 09.13.2014
• Date Posted: 09.13.2014 23:51
• Story ID: 142092
• Location: VALLEJO, CA, US
• Hometown: BENICIA, CA, US