Knightdale, N.C.--- Approximately 100 soldiers stood in formation during the 518th Sustainment Brigade Change of Command Ceremony, in which the outgoing Brigade Commander, Col. Kelly Hagenbeck, relinquished command of the brigade to the incoming Brigade Commander, Col. Gerry Jackson, on May 5, 2019, at the Knightdale Reserve Center, in Knightdale, North Carolina.
The host of the change of command ceremony was, the 143rd Sustainment Command Expeditionary Commanding General, Brig. Gen. Deborah Kotulich. During her remarks she welcomed Jackson back to the division. Jackson was once a commander of the 352nd Sustainment Brigade Support Battalion, in Macon, Georgia, she said.
“You are in one of the most important roles in the United States Army Reserves, today, as a sustainment brigade commander.”
Jackson addressed the soldiers and told them he was ready to rock and roll, as he removed from his left sleeve of his uniform, the unit patch from his previous unit, the Army Medical Command (ARMEDCOM), in Pinellas Park, Florida, and replaced it with the 518th Sustainment Brigade unit patch.
The soldiers can expect a team player, a leader that cares, a leader who is going to work to help them meet all their goals both personal and professional, and a leader who would not ask them to do anything that I wouldn’t do, said the brigade commander.
“I can be a great leader with mediocre soldiers and the unit won’t succeed, I can be a mediocre leader, and have great soldiers and the unit will success. In other words, Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO) make or break the military and the officers lead the soldiers.”
Jackson, a native of Atmore, Alabama, works for the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Forest Service, as the Assistant Station Director, in Asheville, North Carolina, said his job is very supportive of him and his military service.
“My supervisor, who is a Senior Executive Service (SES) for the USDA Forest Service, flew out when I graduated from the National War College, in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, and he was here today. USDA Forest Service is very supportive of the Army Reserves,” said Jackson.
“This is a great unit, and I’m happy to serve with a unit within the state that I live in. My family is very important to me, and have also been very supportive of me, knowing that I want to defend my country.”
| Date Taken: | 05.20.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 05.20.2019 14:19 |
| Story ID: | 323127 |
| Location: | KNIGHTDALE, NORTH CAROLINA, US |
| Web Views: | 331 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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