Task Force Renegade welcomes new leadership

Courtesy Photo | Lt. Col. Thomas Genter, incoming commander, 1st Battalion, 362nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade, receives the unit colors from Col. James Gallivan, commander, 5th Armored Brigade, during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, to officially signify him as the commander of 1-362nd. (Photo by Capt. John Brimley, 5th Armored Brigade, Division West Public Affairs)  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

06.26.2015

Courtesy Story

First Army Division West

By Lt. Col. Thomas Genter and Capt. David Bogert
1st Battalion, 362nd Air Defense Artillery, 5th Armored Brigade, Division West

FORT BLISS, Texas — The 1st Battalion, 362nd Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 5th Armored Brigade welcomed a new command team and said farewell to the old one here, June 25-26.

1-362nd held a change of command and responsibility ceremony June 25 that represented the changing of leadership between the outgoing command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Navarro, and incoming command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Philip Stewart followed by a change of command ceremony June 26 between outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Clay Goff and incoming the commander, Lt. Col. Thomas Genter.

“The unit performed magnificently and I am proud to serve with the Soldiers you see standing in front of you,” Navarro said during the change of responsibility.

He thanked the noncommissioned officers and officers for their support, professionalism and dedication to duty as they accomplished the unit’s “no fail” mission preparing National Guard Soldiers to provide integrated ground-based air defense of the National Capital Region.

Stewart expressed his gratitude for the assistance he received from Navarro and Goff.

“They invited me to Washington D.C., to visit Soldiers they recently helped train and prepare for the mission,” said Stewart. “The trip was an eye-opening experience and helped me gain a comprehensive understanding of our mission.”

Prior to the official ceremony on June 26, Col. James Gallivan, commander, 5th Armored Brigade, presented Goff with the Meritorious Service Medal and Goff’s wife, Janet, with the Yellow Rose of Texas award.

“With the caring and supporting network offered by spouses and Family members, our Soldiers are able to fully commit themselves to the profession of arms and defense of this great nation,” said Gallivan.
Gallivan went on to recognize Goff for his contributions and the importance of 1-362nd, TF Renegade.

“For the ‘Renegade Battalion’ this mission is unique,” said Gallivan. “They not only train units for deployment overseas in support of our national objectives, they are also the only First Army unit with the mission of training air defense artillery units for Operation Noble Eagle – air defense in support of the homeland,” he added.

Goff accepted Gallivan’s comments and proceeded to thank the brigade leadership, as well as the officers and Soldiers of the battalion.

“A battalion that is rich in history, but more importantly one that is tasked to train and certify Soldiers, crews, and units to protect the Nation’s capital,” said Goff. “I’m proud of the unit’s many accomplishments and the professionalism of the soldiers who bore the burden of mission accomplishment on a daily basis.”

• Date Taken: 06.26.2015
• Date Posted: 08.04.2015 12:50
• Story ID: 172115
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US