This was my change of command speech. I would have loved to ramble on and on but that would not have been cool. This was the best I could do with limited time.
Greetings COL Chung, LTC Sears, LTC Walsh, LTC Taylor, CSM Torres, CSM
Downs, CSM Carrion, other distinguished guests; leaders, Soldiers,
civilians, and family members. Thank you for attending today's change of
command.
Bravo Company was initially formed one year ago. In that time the
Soldiers have overcome obstacles such as 4,000 square kilometers of
battlespace, 8 geographically separated work locations, horrible traffic
between those locations, 15 hour days, changing shift schedules, the ever
constant threats from North Korea, sequestration, a political and military
shift to the Asia-Pacific Region, and 24 hour operations. The Soldiers
overcame these obstacles and more in order to perform their multiple
critical intelligence missions.
The results speak for themselves: over 10,000 reports written, 60,000
miles driven, 20 critical intelligence systems maintained all so that the
Combined Republic of Korea and United States military forces are prepared
with the most accurate and up-to-date intelligence should we have to go to
war.
The Soldiers did all that. I did not. I was simply the rudder that
guided a large and well run ship.
As a commander I was ultimately responsible for mission accomplishment
- or failure, and for the care of all the Soldiers in my command - or lack
thereof.
The mission was accomplished and accomplished with distinction. My NCOs
and leaders gave me the best guidance possible so that I could plan training
and provide the best support for mission accomplishment. They did all the
work.
As far as care of the Soldier - the best guidance I found for that was
in the words of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in Matthew Chapter 25, which
is all about taking care of "the least of these." As a commander I was able
to directly impact the lives of my Soldiers and I used every opportunity I
had to teach coach and mentor my subordinate leaders to take care of their
Soldiers. The leaders of my unit followed my example and because of that the
Soldiers of Bravo Company, received superb care and support.
I owe a debt of gratitude and responsibility to many people. First to
my subordinate leaders - the NCOs and officers of Bravo Company - for your
outstanding performance and for leading by example. Next, to my leadership
for your endless support - COL Chung, CSM Torres, LTC Fiol, CSM Sanders, LTC
Walsh, and CSM Downs - your guidance and support made my job easier and you
always allowed me to be the commander in both name and deed. The Battalion
and Brigade staff, the leaders of SUSLAK, and all of those who supported the
mission and Soldiers of Bravo Company who are too many to name individually,
but your support was instrumental in our success. Thank you.
I would not be where I am today if a long line of leaders in the past
had not taken care of me. I was the least of these and yet you counseled me,
gave the hard truths I needed to hear, taught me the skills I needed to
succeed, and assisted me in every endeavor. I thank you. I also want to take
this opportunity to thank my mentor and the man who taught me the art and
science of taking care of Soldiers. Joe Cox, a Colonel in the Army who
happened to be my Brigade Commander. He taught me how to balance my
responsibility to the Army with my responsibility to my conscience. There
are no words to express how grateful I am.
The last two people I have to thank are my 1SGs, John Rivera and Adam
Riddle. You were the 1SGs I needed and you both already lived my credo of
taking care of Soldiers. Both of you made the hardest job in the Army look
easy.
Finally for the most important person: Jenn, my wife, my love, my best
friend. You daily take care of the house and family while working full time
as a CPA, English teacher, and most importantly as a mom. You took the idea
of "taking care of the least of these" to new levels by doing everything in
your power to bring Lena and Sujin into our home. I would be lost without
you. As I tell everyone regularly and loudly, "I married way up." I love
you. I love you. I love you.
Pat, take care of my Company. You are the best man for the job. Call me
if you need me. Watcher 6, out.
