Photo By Maj. Carter Langston | Brig. Gen. Jeffrey Farris accepts the 352nd Civil Affairs Command's colors from Maj....... read more read more
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Physical stamina, mental agility, and general preparedness by all measures of the word ‘ready’ represented a common thread from the podium, as three Army commanders spoke during the change of command ceremony at Fort Meade’s 352nd Civil Affairs Command. In order to produce ready, trained and equipped units, sound Army leadership must be present, according to the Commanding General of the U.S. Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command Maj. Gen. Darrell J. Guthrie.
Guthrie spoke and led the change of command ceremony between outgoing 352nd Civil Affairs Command Commander Brig. Gen. Jeffrey W. Jurasek and incoming Commander Brig. Gen. Jeff Farris. At the time of the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Farris wore the rank of colonel and was promoted in a separate ceremony following his assumption of command.
“Army leadership is defined as the process of influencing people by providing purpose, direction and motivation to accomplish the mission and improve the organization,” Guthrie said.
During the ceremonial passing of the unit’s colors, Command Sergeant Major Mike Mielke passed the unit’s colors to Jurasek, the outgoing commander, who passed them to Guthrie, his commander. Holding the significance of the unit’s colors and its representation of command responsibility for just a moment, Guthrie passed the unit’s standard and a few whispered words to Farris, the incoming commander. The new commander passed the colors back to Mielke, who is responsible for maintaining them. Throughout America’s history, a military unit’s colors represent the rallying point, easily seen and often followed, into battle.
When each took the podium to provide brief remarks to the formation of Soldiers and the guests in attendance at the ceremonious change from one commander to another, one praised the dutiful commitment to professionalism and the performance of improved readiness as a lethal fighting force. The other challenged the formation of military leaders to balance life’s demands, continue striving for readiness by every measure and achieve greater intensity through mutual investment in self and unit.
“We live in a time where only one percent of the population in America chooses to serve in the military. You are that one percent,” Jurasek said. “You are great because you have fully embraced the ideals of duty, honor and country and you approach your duty with a profound sense of teamwork, professionalism and discipline.”
Recognizing the importance of family as an enabling factor in Soldier readiness, Jurasek paid tribute to each family member by telling those present the Army is the strength of this nation, and the Soldier is the strength of the Army. As such, it is the family that is the strength of our Soldiers. In his speech to the assembled troops and guests, Farris said that he would contribute the tradition of excellence.
“We will build on the strengths and successes Brig. Gen. Jurasek and his team have accomplished,” Farris said. “In order to be the best, I need each of you to invest in your own readiness. If you invest in yourself, this command will invest in you.”
| Date Taken: | 07.21.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2019 20:38 |
| Story ID: | 333100 |
| Location: | FORT MEADE, MD, US |
| Web Views: | 405 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Leadership was focus of 352nd Civil Affairs Command’s change of command ceremony, by MAJ Carter Langston, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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