JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. - Hundreds of Soldiers, civilians and family members converged on Watkins Field to say goodbye to their “visionary leader” June 25 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
After serving for two years as the 593rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary) commanding general, Brig. Gen. Kurt Ryan relinquished command of the 593rd ESC to Brig. Gen. John “Jack” Haley.
When Ryan became the commander of 593rd ESC two years ago, the unit was still a sustainment brigade. Under his direction the unit transformed into one of only three expeditionary sustainment commands in the Army.
“As part of our Army profession, we emphasize building Soldiers and leaders of character, competence and commitment,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen R. Lanza, commanding general, I Corps. “Two years ago Kurt came to JBLM to be the first commander of the 593rd ESC. (He) was the primer that grew the team of teams exponentially with every responsibility, and he was the right visionary leader to develop innovative approaches to support and train units in the Pacific.”
Ryan’s command approach of the 593rd ESC during Operation Lombardi, a training and certification campaign, is now the Army’s model to build readiness and work with Total Force Integration according to Lanza.
“Two years ago, we began this journey not knowing if the vision the Corps commander laid out would succeed or fail,” Ryan said. “I’ve said we would collectively make this work, or I would case the colors and potentially be the first and last commander of the 593rd ESC.”
“I can, with good conscience, say the talent you have on this team is phenomenal,” Ryan added. “They’ve survived ‘Operation Lombardi’ and, frankly, they’re just getting warmed up.”
From here Ryan will become the 39th chief of ordnance and commandant of the U.S. Army Ordnance School at Fort Lee, Virginia. Before leaving Ryan thanked all the Soldiers and leaders he worked with for their service during his time as the commanding general.
“I will cherish every minute that I served with the finest Corps in the world, and all the Soldiers and families of a team-of-teams,” said Ryan. “They are why I stand here honored and humbled.”
Haley comes to the unit from Fort Lee, where he served as the 38th chief of ordnance. Haley said this is more of a homecoming for him. As a young captain in 1992, Haley served as the company commander in the 85th Maintenance Company, 593rd Corps Support Group at JBLM.
“Being a company commander here in the beautiful Northwest is where I fell in love with soldiering,” said Haley. “Now, 25 years later, I am thrilled, honored and humbled to be taking command of the 593rd ESC.”
Placing his confidence in Haley, Lanza said he is certain he will continue to set the high standard of excellence developed by the 593rd ESC.
“Jack is a 28-year proven leader,” said Lanza. “He understands the importance of building readiness. As the new commander of 593rd ESC, he will continue to usher in this chapter of the command’s history.”
As he took command of the 593rd, Haley promised to lead the unit in a visionary way just as Ryan did.
“To the Soldiers and families of the 593rd, I pledge my total commitment to the care, well-being, development and success of you and this organization,” said Haley. “This is a highly-trained, high-performing, combat ready unit. ‘Rest Assured,’ we will continue on this path of excellence as we sustain America’s Corps.”