Col. Robert E. Lee Magee relinquished command of 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division to Col. Marc A. Cloutier at a change of command ceremony hosted by Maj. Gen. Pat White, commander of 1st Armored Division, on the 1 AD parade field June 25.
White praised Magee, a native of Leavenworth, Kansas, for the accomplishments of the Bulldog brigade during his command, which began on June 13, 2016. For his efforts, White awarded Magee the Legion of Merit and the Silver Order of St. George.
“Within weeks of taking command, he went off to Kuwait in Operation Spartan Shield. He led Soldiers in executing operations for CENTCOM and Army Central Command in seven different countries while providing support for both Operation Freedom Sentinel and Operation Inherent Resolve,” said White.
Following deployment, 3 ABCT immediately supported 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team during their National Training Center rotation. Magee then led the brigade through a gated training strategy that included command post exercises, Bulldog Focus, and Iron Focus from October 2017 to April 2018. Magee’s final mission leading the brigade was a month-long training rotation at NTC that concluded June 16.
“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Bulldog 6 for the last two years,” said Magee.
Magee thanked the leaders and Soldiers of the Bulldog brigade for all the accomplishments they achieved during his tenure, expressing his confidence that they will continue their excellence under Cloutier’s leadership.
“I know the Army got it right for this brigade,” said Magee while addressing Cloutier. “You are the right leader at the right time to take this outstanding brigade to the next level.”
Cloutier, a Marlborough, Connecticut, native, served at Joint Modernization Command before joining the Bulldog brigade.
“I hope to build on the exceptional reputation these Soldiers have earned over the years of hard work and hope that I command in a way that inspires Soldiers to be the very best they can be and want to stick around the Army,” he said.
Cloutier said his focus includes building trust, mastering the fundamentals, and leading the way he'd want to be led.
He said his biggest challenge in taking command “besides the heat, is being able to catch up with the rest of the brigade and not be the new guy for too much longer.”
According to Cloutier, finding the right balance between being a Soldier and time with Family is very important, as well.
Cloutier and his wife and two children have lived on Fort Bliss for the past year.
“We absolutely love it here and have had an exceptional welcome by the community. We look forward to joining the Bulldog community, as well,” said Cloutier.
Date Taken: | 06.25.2018 |
Date Posted: | 06.28.2018 17:13 |
Story ID: | 282662 |
Location: | EL PASO, TEXAS, US |
Hometown: | FORT BLISS, TEXAS, US |
Hometown: | LEAVENWORTH, KANSAS, US |
Hometown: | MARLBOROUGH, CONNECTICUT, US |
Web Views: | 370 |
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