Photo By Melissa Buckley | Incoming 3rd Chemical Brigade Commander, Col. Kirsten McFarland, accepts the unit...... read more read more
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. — Col. Hector Montemayor relinquished command of the 3rd Chemical Brigade to Col. Kirsten McFarland during a ceremony July 1 in Nutter Field House.
The reviewing officer for the ceremony, U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School Commandant Col. Alexander Lovasz, said the 3rd Chemical Bde. is an “incredibly complex organization” to lead, as it is responsible for Fort Leonard Wood’s basic chemical, infantry and transportation training.
“It is a mix between basic combat training and CBRN instructional formations,” Lovasz said.
When asked to write about his favorite time while commanding the brigade, Lovasz said Montemayor wrote “crawling at night with Soldiers through the Night Infiltration Course.”
“That highlights his professionalism,” Lovasz said.
During his remarks, Montemayor thanked the leaders he worked with as commander and Soldiers who have mentored and supported him throughout his career.
As he reflected on the last two years, he said he was “humbled” by his journey.
“We have led from the front and built a team that shows up,” Montemayor said. “We have a relentless culture of excellence.”
Montemayor’s next assignment will keep him at Fort Leonard Wood as the next Maneuver Support Capability Development Integration Directorate commander.
McFarland’s last assignment was as the commander of U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s Nashville Army Recruiting Battalion in Tenessee, before attending the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Alabama.
As she addressed the audience, she said it was an “absolute honor and privilege to stand before you as the commander of this incredible brigade."
“It feels like coming home and I am very grateful and fortunate for the opportunity.”
She began her Army career by deploying to Iraq with the 82nd Airborne Division and later served as a platoon leader for the 21st Chemical Company in Afghanistan. She has also commanded a medical company in Hawaii.
Lovasz closed his remarks by welcoming McFarland to the CBRN team.
“I look forward to her leadership as she takes the 3rd Chemical Bde. to new heights,” Lovasz said.
| Date Taken: | 07.01.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 07.03.2025 10:34 |
| Story ID: | 504893 |
| Location: | FORT LEONARD WOOD, MISSOURI, US |
| Web Views: | 8 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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