Photo By Sgt. Audrey Hayes | Command Sgt. Maj. John Schiffli, the senior enlisted leader of the 290th Military...... read more read more
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FORT MEADE, Maryland — Senior leaders from the 200th Military Police Command, along with members of the command’s headquarters and headquarters company, gathered at Lake Burba Park on Fort Meade, Maryland, to bid farewell to the deputy commanding general, July 16.
During her time with the unit, Brig. Gen. Kelly Wakefield, who resides in Las Vegas and has been with the 200th as the deputy commanding general (support) since August 2014, found value in spending time with the Soldiers.
“I know I’m probably the invisible D.C.G. (deputy commanding general), but that’s because I felt it was more important to be out with the units than it is to sit in an office,” said Wakefield.
It was clear during the farewell that her time with subordinates was well spent. As each representative from the down-trace units said their goodbyes, many spoke on how Wakefield made an impact on their career by helping develop them as professionals and leaders.
One of her last duties with the command was pinning Col. Mark. C. Hale, who worked with her on previous assignments.
Hale said Wakefield was a mentor to him and having her promote him to the rank of colonel was an honor.
After Maj. Gen. Marion Garcia, the commanding general for the 200th presented Wakefield with the Legion of Merit, she said, with teary-eyes, not only was Wakefield her battle buddy, but when times got hard, Garcia would call on her as friend.
“While I don’t plan on being engaged (with the 200th), those bonds and relationships I have established won’t go away,” said Wakefield. “If I miss someone, I’ll reach out.”
And that’s the beautiful thing about the Army. Soldiers come and go, but they also choose to keep those organic bonds strong for a lifetime.
“I’ll move on and you’ll continue,” said Wakefield. “But just remember, this is about the Soldiers, and really, it's about what General Garcia has been saying – it’s taking care of our Soldiers and making sure that they’re trained, ready to go to war, so that they come back alive.”
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 07.22.2017 08:38 |
| Story ID: | 241962 |
| Location: | FORT MEADE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 181 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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