Photo By Sgt. Philip Klein | Col. Peter Utley, the outgoing Chief of Staff for the 4th Infantry Division, receives...... read more read more
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FORT CARSON, Colo. — Fourth Infantry Division leadership gathered underneath the headquarters flag to farewell Col. Peter Utley, the outgoing 4th Inf. Div. chief of staff and welcome the "Ivy" Division's new chief of staff, Col. Patrick Fetterman, during a traditional retreat ceremony Oct 16.
Col. Jim Pasquarette, 4th Inf. Div. deputy commanding general — support, said a division chief of staff must prioritize a myriad of competing demands; manage the many strong personalities that make up a division staff; anticipate any problems; and at the end of the day, stand in front of the division commander to explain it all.
Pasquarette acknowledged that a division chief of staff has the most demanding job in the Army and that Utley's job was especially difficult given his assigned task, keeping the division's "trains on time."
"Utley has worked constantly for the division, joining them during their deployment to Baghdad, leading the division's redeployment; and if that wasn't enough, he successfully moved the division headquarters and the 1st Brigade Combat Team from Fort Hood to Fort Carson," said Pasquarette. "He is still working on tasks as we speak."
Pasquarette then read a statement from Maj. Gen. Jeffery Hammond, the former commander of the 4th Inf. Div., thanking Utley for all of the hard work for the division, for the people of Iraq, and the Central Texas and Colorado Springs communities.
Utley thanked the assembled guests and reflected on his service with the division.
"I'm truly humbled by this ceremony, and as I remember this past year I will cherish my experiences with this division," said Utley.
Utley said he joined the division in the middle of its deployment and assumed the responsibility to oversee the redeployment and relocation of the unit as it re-stationed to the Mountain Post.
"It was a significant undertaking," said Utley. "We are only successful because of the great Soldiers we led."
Utley said the division staff had approximately four months to close operations at Fort Hood and move a headquarters and a brigade to Fort Carson, all the while standing up a headquarters at the Mountain Post.
"As I stand here with the division at Fort Carson I am extremely proud," said Utley. "As I hit the road for Fort Knox, I leave with a heavy heart and will remember the friendships I've made here; but the future of this division is very bright, and I know this team will succeed."
Utley expressed confidence that the new 4th Inf. Div. chief of staff will thrive and lead the division into the future with success.
Fetterman thanked Utley for the seamless transition and spoke with confidence that the division will continue to accomplish its missions because of the foundation of leadership provided by past Soldiers.
"I want to paraphrase Winston Churchill, who said let us brace ourselves to our duty so that in time men will say this was their finest hour," said Fetterman. "I want to thank the leadership of this organization for allowing me the opportunity to be part of this which is undoubtedly our finest hour."
Utley was commissioned a second lieutenant of Armor graduating from the Citadel in South Carolina and has commanded Soldiers from platoon to brigade levels. He served in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, Haiti, Kosovo, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Utley's awards include the Legion of Merit with two oak leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with oak leaf cluster and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Utley's next assignment is with Headquarters Department of the Army.
| Date Taken: | 10.16.2009 |
| Date Posted: | 11.04.2009 18:59 |
| Story ID: | 41110 |
| Location: | FORT CARSON, US |
| Web Views: | 277 |
| Downloads: | 128 |
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