Photo By Amy Perry | Col. Tamatha Patterson, 23rd Quartermaster Brigade commander, right, passes the 262nd...... read more read more
FORT LEE, Va. (June 22, 2017) -- Lt. Col. Anthony P. Marante – a 25-year Soldier who served as an enlisted infantryman before becoming an officer through the Green-to-Gold program – has taken command of the 262nd Quartermaster Battalion here. He replaced Lt. Col. Brian P. Wolford at a June 15 ceremony held on the battalion’s parade field.
Marante received his commission in 1999 through the ROTC program at the University of Tampa. He has served with multiple combat arms units including the 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y., the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Fort Bragg, N.C., the Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., and others. As a logistics officer, he has completed one deployment to Iraq and three to Afghanistan.
Col. Tamatha A. Patterson, 23rd QM Brigade commander, presided over the change of command ceremony in which the mantle of leadership was passed from one accomplished officer to another. She extended a fond farewell to Wolford and said his list of accomplishments were far too many to mention in the time allotted for the ceremony.
“Brian has commanded the largest and most diverse battalion within TRADOC,” she acknowledged. “He has ensured that training synchronization was executed throughout four distinct training departments across seven different military occupational specialties. Under his leadership, over 8,000 sustainment and paralegal specialists graduated and arrived at their first assignment competent and (having the knowledge they needed) to do their job.
“A focused and a compassionate leader,” Patterson continued, “Brian has ensured discipline and standards were always enforced and that his command maintained a superb reputation of accomplishing every mission to the highest standard, always ensuring that the command climate was one of dignity and respect, where the Army values were seen daily.”
Recalling her first impression of Wolford, Patterson said she wondered if he ever smiled because he always looked deep in thought. She later found out he was always thinking about how to make the battalion better.
“It has been my absolute honor and privilege serving with you,” she said to Wolford. “I have learned so much from you … you are an awesome leader, one who has a wonderful future ahead of you. I want to thank you personally for your leadership, your mentorship and, most of all, your friendship.”
Wolford thanked Patterson for the accolades and turned his attention to his troops.
“You are professionals and you certainly look the part this morning,” he said. “You represent the best of our country and the best of your generation.”
Additionally, Wolford took time to welcome Marante and expressed excitement for the new command team.
“I am absolutely jealous of you two (Marante and Command Sgt. Maj. Samuel Milesm, battalion CSM),” he said. “If I could stay … I would be all in, and whatever your priorities were, I’d execute them for you. You’re going to be an outstanding team.”
Wolford is moving on to a new assignment as the G4 in the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, N.C.
While expressing sadness with seeing the Wolford family go, Patterson said she is excited about the new team the Army sent to take their place and welcomed them to the brigade.
“This battalion has a critical mission of providing physically fit, technically competent sustainment Soldiers and paralegal professionals to our Army and the joint force,” said Patterson. “These Soldiers are grounded in the Army values and the warrior ethos, and are able to contribute immediately upon arrival at their first unit of assignment. I know you will not waver on this mission because the nation is counting on all of you.”
Marante shared his excitement about getting started and working with the Fort Lee team.
“I am truly humbled to join such a dynamic battalion that is actively defining the Quartermaster Corps and joint force while shaping the future of sustainment,” he observed. “Sgt. Maj. Miles and I look forward to working with you to accomplish our mission.”
| Date Taken: | 06.22.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 06.22.2017 10:29 |
| Story ID: | 238778 |
| Location: | US |
| Web Views: | 551 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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