CAMP LEJEUNE, North Carolina - Marines with 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade pass the colors to recognize the change of command from Maj. Gen. Richard L. Simcock II to Brig. Gen. Robert F. Castellvi June 12, 2015, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
The brigade has recently become joint task force certified and will be around as a warfighting force for a long time to come, said Simcock. He trusts that Castellvi will continue to foster growth as a force in readiness.
Simcock handed off the unit colors to Castellvi who took charge as the present commanding general of the brigade.
Castellvi started out his career as an infantry officer with 1st Battalion, 2nd Marine Regiment, participating in Operation Earnest Will in the Arabian Gulf with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 1985. Most recently, he participated in Operation Inherent Resolve as the deputy commanding general for operations.
Simcock was selected by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to take charge as the commanding general of 3rd Marine Division in Okinawa, Japan.
“Major Gen. Simcock will be a valuable asset to the Marines over at 3rd Marine Expeditionary Force and they are lucky to have him,” said Castellvi.
In his closing remarks to his Marines Simcock passed a famous Marine Corps saying.
“I will end on the note of two words: Semper Fidelis,” said Simcock.