Changing Command during Covid

CAMP ARIFJAN, KUWAIT

07.08.2020

Story by Sgt. Jermaine Jackson 

U.S. Army Central   

U.S. Army culture bears many long standing traditions that have been passed down from generation to generation. Amongst those traditions are change of command ceremonies, where old commanders receive honors for the work they achieved and new commanders are welcomed into their new duty position.
Army Col. Ryan Worthan and Army Col. John Herrman completed such a ceremony as Herrman took the reins as the commander of Area Support Group- Kuwait(ASG-KU) on Camp Arifjan, Kuwait.
"The great thing I love about the U.S. ARCENT area of operations is the 'team of teams concept,'" said Herrman. "If you reach out to anyone and ask for help they're more than willing to give it."
Military commanders are the strategic minds behind mission success, and part of this is making sure the force is healthy and ready to fight. Worthan has been instrumental in making sure the response to the Covid-19 pandemic was timely and effective and has helped to ensure the safety of everyone on post at Camp Arifjan.
"The commander provides vision," said Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Coolbaugh, the ASG-KU command sergeant major."He helps to validate the mission and show the unit where it's going."
Another tenet of Army leadership is mentoring and helping junior leaders grow throughout their careers. Herrman says he looks forward to working with his new team and overcoming new challenges.
"I ask that junior leaders work to understand the concept of 'mission command'," said Herrman. "We're the only army in the world that uses it. It allows junior leaders to make decisions on their own as long as it properly reflects the commander's intent and it is a very powerful tool. It's awesome."

• Date Taken: 07.08.2020
• Date Posted: 07.10.2020 09:00
• Story ID: 373600
• Location: CAMP ARIFJAN, KW
• Hometown: TROY, NY, US