FORT SHERIDAN, Ill. – The Army Reserve’s Great Lakes Training Division, 75th Training Command, held a change of command ceremony, June 7, bidding farewell to outgoing commander, Brig. Gen. Douglas F. Anderson, and welcoming incoming commander, Col. John F. Hussey, who has been selected for promotion to brigadier general.
Anderson served as commander for three years there and shared some memories of his time assigned to the unit.
“(I have) great memories watching our folks help units grow and become more capable and effective and efficient in mission command,” said Anderson. “And in watching leaders grow, develop and just become better officers and non-commissioned officers and become more effective soldiers for the Army Reserve.”
The Great Lakes Training Division is responsible for battalion and higher mission command staff training.
“At any moment I had soldiers training and developing leaders and staff on four different continents (simultaneously),” explained Anderson. “Europe, Africa, within the Pacific command region and here in CONUS (continental United States).”
His next assignment will take him to the Golden State where he will take command of the 63rd Regional Support Command, headquartered in Mountain View, California.
The ceremony began with the National Anthem played by the Navy Band Great Lakes, Ceremonial Band and followed with remarks from Maj. Gen. James V Young, Commanding General, 75th Training Command, who presided over the ceremony.
“We were fortunate enough to have him come into the Army Reserve. He deployed to Iraq as an adviser to an Iraqi infantry battalion,” said Young. “You will be missed. Your work here has been spectacular.”
After the unit colors were transferred, Young welcomed the incoming commander.
“Colonel Hussey is qualified in four functional areas. He’s commanded three units in combat. He’s deployed to Iraq, Bosnia and Afghanistan,” said Young.
Hussey followed Young and gave brief remarks to his soldiers present there and expressed his admiration to the outgoing commander.
“(Brigadier) general Anderson, you’ve been an outstanding mentor and a good friend. On behalf of the command, we wish you all the best in your new assignment.”
Anderson was commissioned as a distinguished military graduate of the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps program at Washington State University. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science/Public Administration, a master’s degree in Human Resources Management and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. His military education includes the U.S. Army War College, U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Advanced Joint Professional Military Education Course, the Canadian Security Studies Program and the United Nations Senior Mission Leader’s Course to list a few. Some of Anderson’s past assignments included command of the 97th Training Brigade (Intermediate Level Education), 102nd Division, and command of a Personnel Service Brigade in the 94th Division.
Hussey enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in June 1984. In 1986, he left the Marine Corps and joined the Army National Guard and graduated from Officer Candidate School (OCS) branched as a Military Police Officer. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Iona College. His military education includes the U.S. Army War College, Command and General Staff College, Combined Arms Service Staff School (CAS3), Civil Affairs Advanced Course, and the Psychological Operations Course to name a few. Hussey’s past assignments include a Chief of Operations of the 353 Civil Affairs Command, a deployment to Afghanistan as a brigade-level task force commander, deputy commander of Combined Joint Interagency Task Force 435, and a deployment to Iraq as deputy J5 OF Joint Task Force from US Joint Special Operations Command to name a few.