Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Brent Powell | Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp (front right), former commander of the 335th Signal...... read more read more
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Fort McPherson, Georgia – More than 100 Army Reserve Soldiers, civilians and family members came together recently to witness the 335th Signal Command’s (Theater) change of command ceremony held in front of the former United States Army Forces Command headquarters building here Oct. 15.
The historic event provided an opportunity to bid a fond farewell to Brig. Gen. Christopher R. Kemp, who has commanded the unit and it’s more than 4,500 Soldiers for the past two years, and to welcome the new commander Maj. Gen. Peter A. Bosse.
Presiding over the ceremony was Maj. Gen. David J. Conboy, the deputy commanding general (operational), United States Army Reserve Command. “Every day is a great day to be a Soldier,” said Conboy. “But today is special because we get to honor two outstanding Soldiers and their families.”
Conboy began by describing Brig. Gen. Kemp’s accomplishments during his command at the 335th SC (T). “For the past two years this command has been superbly led by Brig. Gen. Chris Kemp,” he said. “He has ensured the sourcing of 49 allocated Army contingency force units and more than 3,000 Soldiers in support of U.S. Army Central Command and other missions around the world, as well as here in the homeland. Under his leadership, this great command planned and executed 12 combat support training exercises that helped ensure other Army Reserve elements across the nation were properly trained to accomplish their mission. This involved more than 45,000 Soldiers at 12 different platforms around the United States.
So as he departs his post today, Brigadier General Kemp leaves behind this highly professional and proficient force, capable of supporting the active Army and the joint force, and that’s just a tremendous accomplishment.”
Next, Conboy introduced the incoming commander Maj. Gen. Peter A. Bosse. “We are very fortunate to have Pete Bosse accept this great responsibility,” he said. “He is another fantastic Soldier with more than three decades of experience and service to the Army. He has served in a variety of positions, and he comes with a lot of experience and a unique perspective that will help to ensure that the great work that general Kemp has done will continue for the future.”
Once Conboy had finished speaking, Brig. Gen. Kemp addressed the crowd. “First of all, ladies and gentlemen, thank you for being here today,” he said. “Maj. Gen. Bosse, I’m so proud to have you and your family here. You are no doubt joining an exceptional team, and the Soldiers here are really excited to have you. Thank you sir for your willingness to take on this command. We are wishing you well.”
Kemp then took a few minutes to address the Soldiers standing in formation, and then he thanked his family and wife of 25-years for standing beside him. He concluded by offering advice for those in attendance. “Take great pride in knowing, whether you are a past, present or future member of this command that you have served in the best signal command in the Army inventory. Soldiers of the 335, my name is Kemp, I have been privileged, truly, truly privileged to serve.”
Next Bosse took the podium. “Since many of you may have read my bio, you may be saying to yourself, hey what’s this logistician guy doing taking over a signal command,” he said. “Well, I admit I was lured away from the signal regiment some 30 years ago by the logistics regiment, but I’ve finally come to my senses and I’m back in the signal regiment where I started and where I belong. I’m ready to leverage my military and civilian skills to help guide this organization into the future.”
Everyone in attendance had the opportunity to say hail and farewell to the incoming and outgoing commanders immediately following the ceremony, and although many comments and well wishes were spoken, it was perhaps Conboy who summed the event up best.
“You can see with the leaders that we have had in the past, and the leaders that we will have here in the future, that this command will be in good hands,” he said. “We have leaders of competence, commitment and most importantly character that will lead this unit and these Soldiers forward to accomplish the important missions ahead of them.”
| Date Taken: | 10.15.2016 |
| Date Posted: | 10.18.2016 13:56 |
| Story ID: | 212295 |
| Location: | FORT MCPHERSON, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 215 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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