Soldiers with the Army Reserve Sustainment Command took part in a change of command ceremony June 29 at ARSC Headquarters. During the ceremony, the command and colors of the ARSC were passed from Brig. Gen. David Ling to Col. Harold Askins III, as the latter assumed interim control of the ARSC.
Maj. Gen. Steven Ainsworth, commanding general of the 377th Theater Sustainment Command, presided over the ceremony, in which the ARSC’s six brigade commanders and senior enlisted advisors were present. Also part of the ceremony was the 313th United States Army Band, under the direction of Staff Sgt. Cory Belvin. Distinguished guests in attendance were Brig. Gen. Don Absher, vice commander of the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command; Brig. Gen. Thomas Murray, J3 (Wartime) United States Forces Korea; and Command Sgt. Maj. Lawrence Arnold, command sergeant major for the 377th. Special guests in attendance were Ling’s wife, Linda, and Col. Trevor Nehls, former AMC Army Reserve Element commander, as well as Nehls’ wife.
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Christopher Luchsinger, command sergeant major of the ARSC and the custodian of colors, passed the unit’s colors to Ling, outgoing ARSC commander, for the last time. In turn, Ling passed the colors to Ainsworth, signaling the relinquishment of his responsibilities and authority of the command.
Ainsworth then passed the colors to Askins, charging him with the responsibility and authority of the ARSC as interim commander.
After the passing of the colors, Ainsworth took the podium to thank those in attendance and congratulate Ling on a successful command tenure.
“There was no better person in the USAR to lead the ARSC,” said Ainsworth.
Ainsworth highlighted many of the ARSC’s accomplishments and noted that during Ling’s leadership, the command continually had more than 20% of its Soldiers on active duty and rotating deployments to Europe and the Middle East.
He welcomed Askins to carry on the groundwork set in place and spoke highly of Askins’ experience and knowledgeable background in both the military and private sector.
As Ling set to take the podium, he gave thanks to his wife, Linda, for her support, endurance and patience during his time as the ARSC commander.
“The ARSC is an outstanding command, and it was truly a privilege to be the commander. The Soldiers and leaders at all levels are focused on the mission and dedicated to doing what it takes to succeed and win,” Ling said.
Ling noted the ARSC’s unique role in directly supporting U.S. Army Materiel Command, the office of the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Acquisition, Logistics and Technology (ASA(ALT)) and the Defense Contract Management Agency.
“Our Soldiers are deep enablers, bringing Soldier skills along with enterprise capabilities of AMC, ASA(ALT) and DCMA,” said Ling.
The word deep enablers truly describes what our Soldiers and units do, he added.
“We enable the full power of the active component we support to be brought to the tactical level. To me, that truly describes what our Soldiers and units do – enable the full power of AMC to be brought to the tactical level,” said Ling. “This is bringing the nation’s industrial might to bear.”
Ling left the Soldiers of the ARSC with a couple pieces of advice on integrity, humbleness and motivations before turning the microphone over to Askins.
Askins said he was humbled by the opportunity to serve as interim commander of one of the most diversified commands in the Army Reserve. He recognized all distinguished guests, commanders, command sergeants major, friends and family and the outstanding work of Ling during his command tenure.
“It's a good time to be a logistician, and an even better time to be in the ARSC,” said Askins.
The ARSC’s mission is to provide key enabling capabilities to the AMC, its major subordinate commands of the Army Sustainment Command and Army Contracting Command. Additionally, the command provides enabling capabilities to the ASA-ALT, DCMA and LOGCAP.