By Eric Parris
Garrison Public Affairs Office
FORT CARSON, Colo. — The Public Health Activity — Fort Carson welcomed a new commander June 5, 2019, during a change of command ceremony on Founders Field.
Soldiers, Families, 4th Infantry Division and Fort Carson leaders were on hand to see Col. Matthew J. Enroth relinquish command to Lt. Col. Gregory T. Reppas.
Col. Dirk D. LaFleur, commander of Public Health Command — Central, presided over the passing of the PHA — Fort Carson colors during the ceremony.
“I want to assure you all that Lt. Col. Greg Reppas, an officer well-known by both the Public Health Activity — Fort Carson and the Public Health Command — Central teams, is a leader with a record filled with experience and success,” LaFleur said. “For Greg, and your bride, Laurie, our command team welcomes you as the new commander for Public Health Activity — Fort Carson.”
Reppas’ most recent assignment was with PHA — Fort Carson as a preventive medicine instructor cadre for the First Year Graduate Veterinary Education Program. He graduated from the University of Florida — College of Veterinary Medicine in 2008 and was commissioned into the Army as a major.
Reppas served in various leadership positions to include the deputy commander/chief of Veterinary Plans and Operations for the 248th Medical Detachment Veterinary Service Support at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He served as the deputy commander for the Public Health Command District-Southern Europe in Vicenza, Italy. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.
The new commander thanked everyone for being a part of the ceremony and expressed his gratitude for being able to serve in the PHA-Fort Carson.
“I’ve had the pleasure of being affiliated with this unit for the last three years as an instructor and mentor to the best and brightest veterinary interns in the Army,” Reppas said. “I cannot think of a better unit to command than Public Health Activity — Fort Carson. (The command team has) afforded me numerous opportunities to develop as a leader, and I only hope to continue to build this impressive team, this formation of officers and Soldiers, as successfully as you two have.”
Enroth assumed command of the PHA-Fort Carson Aug. 4, 2017. During his time here, he managed veterinary and food service activities across a wide region of the U.S., and he praised the officers and Soldiers for their efforts.
“You have excellently supported the Department of Defense operations and activities across 14 states, which is the largest geographic area in the United States in the Veterinary Corps to operate,” Enroth said.
Their efforts ensured food was inspected and safe for service members and their Families, and more than 100 government-owned animals, such as the falcons from the Air Force Academy and horses in the Mounted Color Guard, are able to carry on military traditions, he said.
“You’ve consistently outperformed others across the region,” Enroth said. “It’s been an honor and privilege to serve as your commander and have the opportunity to work for all of you. Again, I commend you on your exceptional professionalism and support in serving the service members and their Families in all branches of the military.”
Enroth’s leadership of the PHA-Fort Carson didn’t go unnoticed.
“Col. Matt Enroth, you have been the model Army leader,” LaFleur said. “I want you to know you are a vital leader on my team.”
Enroth departs Fort Carson for the Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island.