- [Announcer] Serving today as the Commander of Troops
is Colonel Christopher Flowers, G3, 143rd
sustainment command.
The command sergeant major of the 143rd
sustainment command,
is Command Sergeant Major Carlos Lopes.
Appearing before you on the field
are elements of the 143rd, representing over
9500 soldiers assigned to 99 units.
(microphone muffled)
In 10 states, mostly throughout the southeast
United States.
The 143rd sustainment command's
major subordinate units are, from left to right,
headquarters and headquarters company,
143rd sustainment command,
commanded by First Lieutenant Daniel Richards,
led by First Sergeant Carlos Santos,
the 207th regional support,
commanded by Colonel Jerome Jackson,
and led by Command Sergeant Major
(microphone muffled)
Scheduled to deploy later this year to Iraq
(audio distorted)
Carmichael and led by Command Sergeant Major
Willie Wheeler.
The 518th sustainment brigade, commanded by
Colonel Jerry Jackson, and led by
Command Sergeant Major Michael Masters.
The 641st regional support group,
commanded by Colonel Daniel Levitt,
and led by Command Sergeant Major Gerald Knight.
The headquarters is currently deployed to Iraq,
supporting Operation Inherent Resolve.
Representing the 641st today,
is acting Commander Colonel Wanda Holly,
and acting Command Sergeant Major Jeremiah Kelly.
The 642nd regional support group,
commanded by Colonel Jeffery Rector,
and led by Command Sergeant Major Earl Lee.
Joining the units on the field today
is the 143rd sustainment command's color guard,
under the direction of the 143rd Command Sergeant Major.
Ladies and gentlemen, as a token of appreciation
for her contributions to the command,
and her unwavering support of the families
and soldiers, Sergeant Morales will now present
a bouquet of red roses
to Major General Kotulich's spouse, Penelope Smith.
Red symbolizes the color of the heart,
the roses are in full bloom, which represents
the love that has grown for her during her tour.
We are also presenting bouquets
to Major General Kotulich's daughters,
Rachel and Devon, as a token of the unit's affection,
and to express our appreciation for the support
they've provided to Major General Kotulich,
and the 143rd sustainment command.
As a welcome to the 143rd sustainment command family,
Sergeant Bote will now present a bouquet of yellow
roses to Brigadier General McGaha's mom,
Mrs. Betty McGaha.
The yellow symbolizes friendship
on her arrival to the 143rd sustainment command.
The roses presented today are rosebuds
that with time will blossom,
as will the relationship with the soldiers,
civilians and their families.
The proud heritage of our armed forces
began more than 200 years ago,
when citizens joined together in a common cause,
the quest for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The change of command is a time
to honor part of that tradition.
The ceremony formally restates the authority
of command.
The change of command is a transfer of total
responsibility, authority and accountability,
from one commander to another.
Ladies and gentlemen, please direct
your attention to the left of the formation.
Standing at his post is the adjutant
for today's ceremony, Captain Cory Garbleman.
Upon his command, the bugler will sound
attention and adjutant's call.
The command sound adjutant's call is used
by the United States Army to indicate
that the adjutant, the officer responsible
for accounting for soldiers and forming the unit,
is about to form the command.
Adjutant's call was first used by the Army
in 1874 and it advises subordinate commanders
to prepare their troops for formation,
and follow on commands.
- [Adjutant] Sound, attention.
(bugle plays)
Sound, adjutant's call.
(bugle plays)
- [Announcer] The commander of troops
and the staff are now taking their positions on the field.
- Brigadier units, present on.
- Present on.
- Sir, command is formed.
- Brigadier units, arms.
- Order, arms.
- Order.
- Order
- Order.
- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please stand for the arrival of the official party,
the plane of honors, and remain standing
for the invocation.
Today, Major General Ainsworth defers honors
to Major General Kotulich in honor of her distinguished
service and command.
The official party for today's ceremony
consists of the outgoing commander,
Major General Deborah L. Kotulich.
The host for today's ceremony,
Major General Steven W. Ainsworth,
the commanding general of the 377th
theater sustainment command,
and the incoming commander, Brigadier General
Pamela L. McGaha.
(army march music)
- Brigadier units, present arms.
- Present.
(energetic march music)
- Bring your units toward around, and parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- Order.
- Parade.
- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
the 143rd sustainment command chaplain,
Lieutenant Colonel, Terry L. Jones.
- [Terry] Please join with me in prayer.
Faithful God, our constant in transition,
yet also the sustainer who calls us forward
to new heights and deeper purpose.
Your assuring presence gives us confidence,
but also the courage to walk by faith.
Today as our leaders pass the flag,
remind us also of strong mentors and guides.
Calls us also to higher levels of service and leadership.
In your holy name we pray, Amen.
- [Announcer] Thank you, Chaplain Jones.
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.
At this time, the commander of troops
will escort the reviewing party
on an inspection of the troops.
The reviewing of the command,
or trooping the line,
dates back hundreds of years,
to the arrival of the Prussian Army officer
Baron von Steuben at Valley Forge
in February 1778.
His strict discipline and innate self-confidence
instilled a new self respect
in General George Washington's entire troops.
Major General Kotulich will now inspect
her command for the last time, before passing her command
to Brigadier General McGaha.
This is Brigadier General McGaha's
first opportunity to review the troops
she is about to command.
The 143rd sustainment command
was constituted as a brigade on 24 November 1976
in the United States Army Reserve,
and activated in Orlando, Florida.
The 143rd became a transportation command
on 1 October 1985, and was the Army Reserve's
only echelon above corps transportation command
and control headquarters.
The 143rd trans comm forward
manned a continuous presence in Kuwait,
from December 2001 through December 2006,
responsible for the ports of embarkation,
debarkation, and common user land transportation.
On 17th September 2007, the 143rd trans comm
cased its command colors for the final time,
and newly-promoted Brigadier General Daniel Schultz
unfurled the colors of the 143rd sustainment command
expeditionary, the first ESC
in the United States Army Reserve.
The 143rd deployments include 2009 to Afghanistan
in support of Operation Enduring Freedom,
2013 to Kuwait and Iraq in support of
US Central Command.
And the most recent deployment in 2018,
to Kuwait as the operational command post
for the first theater sustainment command
in support of US Central Command.
The 143rd sustainment command
has over 9500 soldiers assigned throughout 10 states,
primarily in the southeastern United States.
- Bring your units to attention.
- Company, attention.
- Brigade, attention.
- Colors, march.
(indistinct discourse)
- Bring your units to present arms.
- Present arms.
- [Announcer] Unit colors are symbolic
of unit pride, tradition, and history.
Since the founding of our great nation,
units carry their colors and our nation's flag
side-by-side, in peace and war.
Colors serve to mark the location
of an organization's headquarters.
Our colors are forward, and we will render honors
to our nation by salute and playing
of our national anthem.
It is appropriate for those not in uniform
to remove their headgear and place their right hand
over their heart.
Ladies and gentlemen, please rise
for the singing of the national anthem
by Captain Johnson.
(The Star-Spangled Banner)
- [Johnson] Oh, say can you see
by the dawn's early light,
what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming.
Whose broad stripes and bright stars,
through the perilous fight,
over the ramparts we watched,
were so gallantly streaming,
and the rockets' red glare,
the bombs bursting in air
gave proof through the night
that our flag was still there.
Oh say does that star-spangled
banner yet wave?
Over the land of the free,
and the home of the brave.
- [Announcer] Thank you, Captain Johnson.
Ladies and gentlemen, please be seated.
- Bring your units to arms.
- Order.
- [Announcer] The history, traditions,
and accomplishments of the 143rd sustainment command
expeditionary, are embodied in its colors.
Historically, the colors have served as the point
around which soldiers of the organization rallied,
as they moved forward into combat.
The colors have traditionally been
at the commander's side, and were carried forward,
even when the commander fell in combat.
All others in the organization might perish,
but the colors live on forever.
The colors have come to symbolize
the authority of command.
The passing of colors represents
the transfer of authority and responsibility
for the unit, from one commander to another.
The 143rd sustainment command expeditionary,
command sergeant major, is the custodian
of the colors, and forms the first link
in this unbroken chain.
As the senior enlisted soldier in the unit,
he is the spokesman for both the loyalty and concerns
of the soldiers, and the principal advisor
to the commander.
The passing of the colors from
Command Sergeant Major Lopes
to Major General Kotulich, signifies his last act
of allegiance to that commander.
Major General Kotulich will now pass the colors
to Major General Ainsworth,
commanding general, 377th theater sustainment command,
symbolizing the relinquishing of her command.
This signifies that the unit is never without
an officer leadership.
The passing of the colors from the senior commander
Major General Ainsworth,
to the incoming commander, Brigadier General McGaha,
signifies the passing of his trust,
and the responsibility for the unit and its soldiers.
By authority of Army regulation 600 dash 20,
paragraph two dash five alpha,
the undersigned assumes command of the 143rd
sustainment command expeditionary,
effective 7 June 2019, signed Pamela L. McGaha,
Brigadier General, United States Army Reserve, commanding.
The passing of the colors from the incoming commander
to the command sergeant major, signifies the confidence
that the command places in the non-commissioned
officer corps.
And the command sergeant major's first act
of allegiance to his new commander.
Command Sergeant Major Lopes
returns the colors to the color bearer,
who exemplifies the high standards of discipline,
conduct and military expertise
that go with the responsibility of bearing the flag
that represents so much to his fellow soldiers.
- Bring your units to parade left.
- Parade left.
- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
the commanding general, 377th theater sustainment
command, Major General Steven W. Ainsworth.
- [Steven] Thank you so much,
and I want to do something here,
soldiers, it's warm out there, I want you to shake it out
a little bit, make sure you're okay there.
Let's check everybody.
And here, let's give them a round of applause
for such a great ceremony.
(applause)
As commander of the 377th, it's always an honor
to be here, and be with these great
soldiers and civilians, the civilian staff of the 143rd,
and there's a lot of military members here,
but first I want to say thank you to the families
of these two great leaders.
It's humbling to stand between them
and they're always fantastic, they're always doing
the great things, so I want to give a round of applause
to the families here, so.
(applause drowns out speech)
Mention Kotulich's daughters, Colonel McGaha,
it's good to see you again, you were in New Orleans
last week, and you were, you know, I'm not saying
that dance floor was not the same
after y'all went out there, it was just fantastic.
(laughs)
And we've got some great visitors here,
Ms. Espiot, Major General Stotts,
Major General Vasat, you know where my heart is there,
and ambassadors Brown and Trout
and Brigadier General Guidry,
and also we've got the former 377 CSM here,
and we've got CSM Lopes,
so, we really appreciate them, so let's give
these distinguished visitors and Mr. Skolencoat,
let's give them a hand.
(applause)
You know, we just witnessed a ceremony
of promotion for General Kotulich and
I gotta tell ya, taking history back,
she was the right leader, for the right point at time,
and for the right moment in history for the 143rd.
Now, she's had incredible amounts of things she's done,
with the 143rd, she oversaw the mobilization
of about 85 units, 3000 soldiers during her time here,
she's done some fantastic things.
It's one thing to be a commander during peace time,
but it's another thing to be a commander
during war time, and mobilize and deploy that,
and that's what she did.
At the same time, many trips, many units,
the NTC, JRTC, collective training,
and then, in addition to that, she brought the unit
to the highest readiness for individual
and collective training that it's ever been at.
You know, she took medical readiness from 77%
to 86%, she's always a team player,
and by the way, that medical readiness thing
is like a statistic, but what that does,
is that added about 920 to 930 soldiers
that are more than we had before
that are now deployable, so it is a tremendous effort.
She deployed with incredible success,
I know Major General Walker, first TSC commander
and I had a conversation one day
and he said, ever since she's been there,
I've slept well, and I'm thinking,
that's the highest compliment that a leader -
so, he slept well, so I don't know if you did
while you were there, but he did, so anyway,
it was good, it was good.
(laughs)
So, I think that's the highest level
of a compliment that you can get as a commander.
He turned a lot of things over to her
much more so than normal, and she handed it with ease,
so not only did she do that,
she returned to this unit, to the 143rd, returned here,
after the deployment with the unit,
and then she mentored the 184th ESC,
that's the unit that replaced her.
Then she mentored one of our units,
that the 377, that has just deployed,
the 77th sustainment brigade,
in addition to that, we have another ESC
that's going out pretty soon, very soon,
the 103rd, and she helped them and assisted them.
So, my point in saying this is,
what a team player, what a leader, giving back
all the time to it.
She's proven her worth in every level,
at the highest levels, and now, after her promotion,
she's going to the US trans comms Scott Air Force Base,
she'll do great things there.
I think Omar Bradley said leadership is intangible,
and no weapon will ever be designed to replace it,
so, General Kotulich, thank you so much.
(applause)
So I stand between two leaders, great leaders,
and everything, but General McGaha's coming,
she's had several overseas tours,
and those are LOEF and everything,
she served in the 316th, she's done QLX operations,
77th sustainment brigade commander.
It is clear from her background she will do great things,
and she's also distinguished herself
as a Fulbright Scholar, served in Australia
with the Australian Army Reserve,
look, she's a business consultant
with great civilian experience, and as with all
transitions in the military, there's a great deal
of adjustments that'll be made,
but I promise you, she has proven herself
to be a strong and adaptable leader.
I'm confident that she will continue
the success of the 143rd, she will do great things
at the 143rd.
Thank you so much.
And lastly, I want to say something to the soldiers.
Perhaps the greatest responsibility of transition
lies with you, and the soldiers of the 143rd,
you served General Kotulich well,
and I know that you will serve
General McGaha with the same level of success.
It's an honor to be here, and I really
appreciate the opportunity to stand between
two fabulous, fabulous leaders
in the United States Army Reserve
and the 143rd, thank you so much.
(applause)
- [Announcer] Thank you, sir.
Ladies and gentlemen, the outgoing commander,
Major General Deborah L. Kotulich.
- [Deborah] Hoo-ah!
All right, shake it out again.
Shake it out again.
Okay, hold it together, I'm gonna go fast.
I will miss someone, so I am going to say
distinguished guests, thank you so much
for your attendance today.
I am specifically going to call out
Margie Espiot and Miles, thank you,
you will always be a part of the 143rd family.
(applause)
I do want to add a special shout out
to my Floridian proud and mighty classmates
from the West Point class of 1990
who joined today.
Ho! Beat Navy.
- Ho!
- [Deborah] Thank you so much.
(laughs)
All of you honor us with your presence
at this significant milestone in the history
of the mighty 143rd, so thank you again for joining.
I want to give a shout out, as General Ainsworth did
to the 143rd color guard.
You soldiers look fantastic, and your military
professionalism today inspires an reminds
all of us of our sworn duty to defend
this great nation that our flag represents.
Let's have another round of applause for those guys.
(applause)
And Captain Johnson who sang the national anthem,
you know, that's never easy to do,
even if he does it a thousand times,
there's gonna always be that one time
where it may not go right, but you hit it today,
so let's give him a round of applause.
(applause)
As I relinquish command today,
I can say without hesitation that being a part of the 143rd
and working with all of the more than 9500 men and women
within this command, has truly been the honor of a lifetime.
Although I clearly understood the magnitude of this job,
and the level of commitment it demanded
from the beginning, I completely underestimated
the level of passion and focus I would develop
to work with command teams at all echelons to drive
readiness within our formations, earning mutual trust,
and allowing every soldier to embrace their purpose
as part of something much bigger than themselves.
The fact is, the 143rd has been a primary force
provider of military sustainment units,
to meet missions in the set comm area of responsibility,
from the very beginning of the global war on terror,
and that continues today.
I didn't really understand that, even after
my own headquarters was notified three months
after I took command.
I don't think I really got it until we
deployed in 2018, and I saw how many 143rd units
were already there, and how many more
I watched arrive.
General Ainsworth already mentioned the number
of units in a three-year tenure that have deployed,
the thousands of soldiers that have gone over there,
and there are more on the horizon.
Simultaneous to those deployments has been
the steady cadence of annual training events,
for every one of the remaining units.
While many of our units have gone through
Army Reserve-led combat support training exercises,
multi-echelon functional training exercises,
and overseas deployment training,
37 of our units in that time have endured
the most challenging rotations at the combat
training centers, the National Training Center
in Fort Irwin, California, and the Joint
Readiness Training Center in Fort Pope, Louisiana.
I now have a complete and full understanding
of what the 143rd provides, year over year,
to support the national defense strategy.
We are truly an operationalized reserve,
delivering ready soldiers in units everyday.
As Lieutenant General Charles Luckey,
commanding general of the Army Reserve says,
when we are called, we will be ready,
we will fight, and we will win.
Leaders and soldiers of the 143rd, let there be no doubt
that you are very much an integral part
of the 'we' in that declaration.
I have to thank my family, Penelope, Rachel, Devon,
and others, for your unending and selfless love
as you have cheered me on through it all.
You've been the bedrock upon which I've stood,
and from where I launch, time and again,
to lead these great men and women.
I owe a debt to retired Major General Les Carol,
who took a chance accepting me into this command,
and I thank you Major General Steve Ainsworth,
for your uncompromising support
as we made hard decisions together.
To be where I am today, I assure you,
I didn't get here on my own.
The men and women
(pause)
bringing new focus and new energy.
I wish you all the very best,
and am only a text, phone call, or email away,
if there's anything at all I can do to assist.
God bless each of you, God bless America,
Army strong, and victory six, signing off the net.
(applause)
- [Announcer] Thank you, Major General Kotulich.
Ladies and gentlemen, the incoming commander,
Brigadier General Pamela L. McGaha.
- [Pamela] Good morning, 143rd ESC.
It's great to be here in beautiful,
sunny, hot Orlando, Florida.
As of yesterday's welcome events,
my family and I already feel like Orlando is home.
Thank you so much for that warm welcome.
I'd also like to take a quick moment
to thank Major General Ainsworth for those kind words,
sir, for your inspiring guidance throughout my career,
and now as I step into this new challenge
and adventure.
And also to our distinguished guests
and visitors, general officers who've taken the time
to be here today, community leaders in the Orlando,
Florida, Orange County area, we greatly appreciate
you being here and continue to support
America's Army Reserve.
Thank you very much.
I also have friends and family who've
traveled long distances to be here,
thank you very much for being here,
for supporting me in this wonderful career
that I've had an opportunity to have.
And also, to all my friends and family
that are watching out there on Facebook live.
Yesterday, I had the great honor
of retaking and reaffirming the oath of office.
And everyone here in uniform
has also raised their right hand and said those words,
and made that very same pledge,
part of which states
that we will support and defend
the constitution of the United States,
against all enemies, foreign and domestic.
It's a powerful statement, to say those words
out loud and to mean them.
It's a powerful promise to make,
and with it comes an enormous responsibility,
to our nation, and to each other.
America trusts us to be ready
when we're needed, to safeguard their sons
and their daughters, and to do the right,
yet sometimes very hard thing to do, always.
That's why we train so hard,
and that's why we hold each other
to the highest possible standards.
I'm proud and I'm honored to now be amongst
this great team of soldiers,
who live that pledge every single day.
Thank you for your service, thank you for choosing
to serve in America's Army Reserve.
Before I close, I'd like to say one more thank you,
And that's to Major General Deb Kotulich
and her family.
Ma'am, you have a very long list of accomplishments,
but your true legacy, throughout the reserve,
and certainly in the 143rd ESC,
is the personal mentorship and time
that you've given towards the next generation
of Army Reserve leaders.
And also for me personally, as I step into
this legendary command.
Thank you very much for that mentorship
and that guidance.
All right, soldiers of the 143rd, thank you,
God bless you and your families,
and let's keep getting after it.
Sustain the victory.
(applause)
- Bring your units to attention.
- Brigades, attention.
- Colors, march.
(army march music)
- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
please stand for the benediction
by Chaplain Jones, and join us in the singing
of the Army Song.
- [Terry] Please join with me in prayer.
Faithful God, as we depart to serve,
grant us courage to stand in truth,
even when we stand alone.
But remind us that indeed, we are never alone,
we are sustained by love of family,
and strength of commitment.
We are inspired by faith of all those
who came before, and the passion of those who follow.
Bless Major General Kotulich
and Brigadier General McGaha with strength and resolve.
Bless their families who sacrifice time and presence
for the calling of those they love.
In your holy name we pray, amen.
(Army Song)
March along, sing our song,
we're the army of the free,
count the brave, count the true,
who have fought to victory,
we're the Army and proud of our name,
we're the Army and proudly proclaim,
first to fight for the right,
and to build the nation's might,
and the Army goes rolling along,
proud of all we have done,
fighting til the battle's won,
and the Army goes rolling along.
Then it's hi! Hi! Hey!
The Army's on its way,
count off the cadence loud and strong,
for wherever we go,
you will always know
that the Army goes rolling along.
(upbeat march music)
- [Announcer] Ladies and gentlemen,
this concludes today's ceremony.
On behalf of the 143rd sustainment command expeditionary,
we thank you for attending
this change of command ceremony.
Major General Kotulich and her family
will remain at the podium to accept farewells.
Brigadier General McGaha and her family
will host a reception at the Drill Hall
of the First Lieutenant David R. Wilson
United States Army Reserve Center,
across the street.
Everyone is cordially invited.