New BCT battalion activates at Fort Leonard Wood

MO, UNITED STATES

06.22.2017

Story by Stephen Standifird    

Fort Leonard Wood Public Affairs Office

Fort Leonard Wood and the 3rd Chemical Brigade activated the 2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment in a ceremony Friday on Gammon Field.

Col. Daryl Hood, 3rd Chem. Bde. commander, welcomed the newest Soldiers of 2nd Bn., 48th Inf. Reg. to Fort Leonard Wood.

"Your proven performance, more so your potential, explains why the Army selected you to lead this fine battalion," he said. "You have the leadership's trust and confidence. You are now a part of our team, our team of teams, and we will help execute the Army's End Strength Increase initiative."

The battalion, made up of Soldiers from the 95th Division and 108th Training Command in the Reserve component, was activated to help the post meet its increase of 4,500 Soldiers in fiscal year 2017, according to Capt. Jason Pavlik, Maneuver Support Center of Excellence G-33 support operations officer.

During the ceremony, Hood and Command Sgt. Maj. Jerry Gonzales uncased the battalion guidon. Lt. Col. John Watson assumed command, Gonzales assumed responsibility of the battalion, and the Soldiers received new 3rd Chem. Bde. patches. It was the first time Hood recalled being a part of a combined ceremony with four different components, he said.

Hood, addressing the Soldiers, laid out the mission of the new battalion.

"2nd Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, your mission is to transform civilians by leading them through Basic Combat Training, to make Soldiers who are physically fit, disciplined, and motivated who understand the Army Values," he said.

Watson thanked the command for the opportunity to lead the new battalion and accepted the mission from Hood.

"We are here to inspire the next generation of U.S. Army Soldiers," he said. "We will be their example. And that example will help to define the path of their careers and their lives. Our dedication, our expertise and our professionalism at this very moment is the foundation on which they will build the future of our Army."

The first BCT company in the battalion will begin training Soldiers July 3.

• Date Taken: 06.22.2017
• Date Posted: 12.29.2017 11:51
• Story ID: 260725
• Location: MO, US