Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Powell | Army Reserve Maj. Gen. Lawrence "Wayne" Brock III, recent commander of the 311th...... read more read more
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GREER, South Carolina – After serving 36 years in a variety of assignments and command positions throughout the signal community of the Army Reserve and National Guard, Maj. Gen. Lawrence W. Brock III, recent commander of the 311th Signal Command (Theater), and former commander of the 335th Signal Command (Theater), officially retired in a ceremony here Sept. 1.
“It’s very hard, in a short time frame to recognize 36 years of faithful service, more than three decades of wearing the uniform and serving your country,” said Lt. Gen. (Retired) Susan Lawrence, who presided over the ceremony. “It’s especially hard when you are talking about Wayne and Melinda Brock (wife of Maj. Gen. Brock) and all that they have done.”
Brock’s career began in 1980 after he received a bachelor’s of science degree in business administration from the Citadel, the elite Military College of South Carolina. In his early years he served the Army National Guard in a variety of leadership and technical positions including platoon leader, company commander, systems engineer officer and telecommunications signal officer.
“He rose and commanded at every level,” said Lawrence. “That’s what he enjoyed the most and that’s what kept him in. His Soldiers loved their inspirational leader and they would follow him anywhere. “
Lawrence went on to speak of Brock’s assignment in Afghanistan, where he led his Soldiers in the fight against terrorism during Operation Enduring Freedom. “I can personally attest that he had some pretty tough war fighters to support there, and it was very clear there were some problems and challenges facing him,” she said. “Wayne came in and forged a group of individuals from different units together and you could see immediately how they changed the whole view of what their unit was doing. They were technically and tactically proficient because of Wayne’s leadership.”
Brock’s leadership assignments took him around the globe where he served the signal community in positions as far away as Kuwait to state side positions such as East Point, Georgia to his last assignment in Hawaii. “I don’t think there is any active duty, National Guard or Reserve general officer who has served at a Theater Signal Command three times,” said Lawrence. “But Wayne Brock did, and he was flawless in his execution. His energy remained right where it needed to be until he passed that final guidon. I’m so proud of absolutely everything he has done in service to his country.”
Lawrence also thanked Brock’s wife and family for their support and understanding over the course of Brock’s career.
After her remarks, Brock took the opportunity to thank Lawrence and then he addressed the crowd of friends, family members and fellow Soldiers who came to wish him well.
“When you become a general officer, a command sergeant major, or any rank in the military, it’s really your family and the people around you who help you get there,” he said. “If the people around you support you, you will do well, if they don’t support you, you won’t do well, no matter how good you are.”
Brock also took time to reflect on his career and his early days as a second lieutenant. “I remember reporting to my first NCO (noncommissioned officer) and he told me, ‘sir, don’t talk to the troops it scares them,'” he said as laughter erupted throughout the room. “I asked him what he meant because I was in charge, and he told me, ‘no sir you are not in charge. You take the blame, but you are not in charge’. So I learned to listen to the NCOs and the people who helped me get where I was going.”
Brock spoke about the numerous challenges his 36-year-career had brought him and his family and said despite the sacrifices he would do it all over again if given the choice. “The reason I would choose to do this all over again is because of most of the people in this room,” he said. “The love that you’ve given us and shown our family can’t be replaced. The bonds and the friendships that have been made and the fact that so many people from so many different stages of my life are here makes it all worth it, and I can’t thank you enough for honoring us today.”
At the conclusion of the ceremony everyone in attendance took the opportunity to congratulate Brock and his family and thank them for everything they have done, but it may have been Lawrence who summed it all up best.
“This nation will remain free because of the brave, and that has been you (Brock) multiple times,” she said. “We thank you for your inspirational leadership, your unwavering dedication and commitment to this country and to our Army. Your legacy will remain strong for many years to come. Thank you for your service.”
| Date Taken: | 09.01.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 09.01.2016 23:05 |
| Story ID: | 208753 |
| Location: | GREER, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 613 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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