Photo By 2nd Lt. Cody Kellum | Brig. Gen. Thomas O'Connor, 1st Infantry Division Forward commander, affirms the oath...... read more read more
The 1st Infantry Division Forward commander received a virtual promotion to brigadier general in Poznan, Poland, on April 24th, 2020. Brig. Gen. Thomas O’Connor, 1st Infantry Division Forward commander, was the first U.S. Army soldier to receive a virtual promotion to general officer in the country of Poland.
Presiding over the ceremony was Lt. Gen. Christopher G. Cavoli, Commanding General of U.S. Army Europe, who was virtually attending the event from the U.S. Army Garrison, Weisbaden, Germany.
A virtual promotion ceremony was performed due to the current threats posed by COVID-19 in Europe. Travel restrictions and social distancing procedures have been enacted for the protection of all U.S. service members abroad. These protective measures unfortunately prevented a standard ceremony from being conducted.
O’Connor’s ceremonious pinning was performed by 1st Infantry Division Forward’s junior enlisted soldier, Pfc. Sage Martin.
“This was my first time ever witnessing an officer promotion, let alone a general officer,” said Martin. “It has been a privilege to serve under such a great commander and I’m honored to have been chosen to pin on his new rank.”
Also in virtual attendance was the Polish Armed Forces General Commander, Gen. Jarosław Mika. He expressed his congratulations to O’Connor and his gratitude for the continued commitment of U.S. forces in Poland.
Brig. Gen. O’Connor expressed kind remarks to the Polish general for his presence and dedication to cooperation with the U.S. and our NATO partners and allies.
“Gen. Mika, your participation here is indicative of the tremendous relationship between our two nations,” said O’Connor. “It reflects the strength of our alliance and the incredible bond between the U.S. Army and the Polish Armed Forces. Thank you for your friendship and stalwart leadership.”
A select group of 1ID Fwd soldiers were invited to physically attend the promotion ceremony in the conference room on base in Poznan. Among them were Master Sgt. Pedro Rodriguez, the IT non-commissioned officer in charge. He, along with the IT office, played a strategic role in the coordination of the virtual promotion ceremony. Rodriguez also served with Gen. O’Connor at 1st Infantry’s home station of Fort Riley, Kansas.
“The general [O’Connor] is one of the best commanders I have served under,” said Rodriguez. “He always leads from the front, and wants to ensure he knows his soldiers, his soldiers know him and know their mission. That is just the kind of man he is.”
The ceremony was broadcast among a handful of social media platforms and devices, reaching over 32,000 people. Approximately 14,000 viewers watched the Facebook Live stream alone.
Brig. Gen. O’Connor is a native of Massapequa Park, New York. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1994, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Aviation branch. Prior to commanding 1ID Fwd, O’Connor was the Deputy Commanding Officer – Support for 1st Infantry Division. He arrived in Poland in mid-December to assume command of 1st Infantry Division Forward. O’Connor is scheduled to return to Fort Riley in early this summer to resume his position in 1ID's Big Red One.
In his closing remarks, O’Connor expressed his love and gratitude for the continued support he has received during his U.S. Army career from his fellow soldiers, family and friends.
“The men and women here today represent the tremendous soldiers I have served with over the years," he concluded. "Their character, commitment and willingness to serve something higher than themselves is what makes them great, and our country great. This promotion is all about them. I am truly humbled and honored to represent them.”
| Date Taken: | 04.24.2020 |
| Date Posted: | 04.24.2020 14:59 |
| Story ID: | 368382 |
| Location: | POZNAN, PL |
| Hometown: | FORT RILEY, KANSAS, US |
| Hometown: | MASSAPEQUA PARK, NEW YORK, US |
| Web Views: | 1,115 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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