Hilbert takes command of 7th Army Training Command

Photo By Gertrud Zach | U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Hilbert, the incoming commander of the 7th Army Training Command, receives the 7th ATC guidon from U.S. Army Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, U.S. Army Europe and Africa commander, during a Change of Command ceremony on the parade field at Tower Barracks, Germany, June 2, 2021. Hilbert, who had previously served with 7th ATC as the commander of the Operations Group for the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany, returned to Bavaria to take command of 7th ATC. (Photo by Gertrud Zach)  

GRAFENWOEHR, GERMANY

06.02.2021

Story by Master Sgt. Ryan Matson 

7th Army Training Command

Brigadier General Christopher Norrie relinquished command of the 7th Army Training Command to Brig. Gen. Joseph E. Hilbert during a ceremony June 2, 2021, on the Tower Barracks parade field, Grafenwoehr, Germany. General Christopher G. Cavoli, the commanding general of U.S. Army Europe and Africa, presided over a ceremony with limited in-person audience due to COVID-19 protocols.

Norrie assumed command in June of 2019, and in his parting remarks reflected on time in Bavaria marked by overcoming great challenges, including commanding during the COVID-19 pandemic, force posture announcements, assuming responsibility for Training and Readiness of four combat brigades, and the follow-on effects of social unrest in the U.S.

“My personal journey, which I had hoped might include social connections and the discovery of new things, was largely filled with sleepless nights spent praying for the safety of our Soldiers and families; the difficulty of continuing to choose from a menu of all bad options, and weathering criticism from people under a tremendous amount of stress,” Norrie said. “Our journeys together have been difficult, strewn with obstacles and hardship, and I leave here today deeply grateful to have had the privilege of crossing paths with you, and the honor of serving in this very special place.”

Still, Norrie said he is leaving with the command as ready as ever.

“Our communities are highly-vaccinated, our units are at the highest readiness levels they have ever been, our training areas and ranges remain vibrant, well-resourced and relevant, our relationships in our local communities and in Bavaria are strong, and we remain fully prepared to fight and win, as directed, to compel the will of the American people and this great alliance on any adversary who would dare harm our national and shared interests, or our shared way of life,” Norrie said.

Hilbert most recently served as the 3rd Infantry Division Deputy Commander-Maneuver, but is no stranger to Germany. His first assignment in Germany came in 1998 as division artillery operations officer with the 1st Armored Div. Artillery, then as the battery commander for Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment. His returned as an Olmsted Scholar at the Universität Leipzig in Leipzig, and for a third time in 2018 to command the Operations Group for the Joint Multinational Readiness Center in Hohenfels, Germany. In his brief remarks, he expressed excitement in returning to 7th ATC.

"I couldn’t be more excited to rejoin your team and serve alongside of you," Hilbert said. "I can tell you that your reputation within the US Army back in CONUS is the envy of our Army. You’re leading our Army in training innovation and in building readiness with both forward deployed and rotational units. We’re excited to get re-acquainted with some and to get to meet others for the first time."

7th ATC provides live, virtual and constructive training for U.S., allied and partner nations in support of USAREUR-AF and exercise Training and Readiness Authority over the 2d Calvary Regiment, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade and 41st Field Artillery Brigade. The command resources training readiness for all of USAREUR-AF’s assigned and allocated forces through the Joint Multinational Readiness Center, Joint Multinational Simulation Center, 7th Army Noncommisioned Officer Academy, Training Support Activity Europe and the Combined Arms Training Center.

7th ATC also oversee U.S. European Command’s directed Combat Training Center development efforts with partnered nations at the Joint Multinational Training Group Ukraine and the Georgia Defense Readiness Program Readiness – Training.

Hilbert concluded his remarks in German, telling the German officials and those virtually that he was looking forward to his time in Grafenwoehr, before signing off with the 7th ATC slogan, “Train to Win!”

• Date Taken: 06.02.2021
• Date Posted: 06.02.2021 08:23
• Story ID: 397924
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, DE