By Steven Hoover
Fort Eisenhower Garrison Public Affairs Office
(Fort Eisenhower, Ga., July 5, 2024) – United States Army Garrison Fort Eisenhower hosted a change of command ceremony in the Cypress Room of the Eisenhower Conference and Catering Center, welcoming Col. Anthony J. Kazor to the command and bidding farewell to Col. Reginald K. Evans, here, Wednesday (July 3).
Mr. William G. Kidd, director, Installation Management Command – Training, presided over the ceremony.
Also in attendance were Lt. Gen. Maria B. Barrett, commanding general, U.S. Army Cyber Command and Maj. Gen. Paul T. Stanton, commanding general, U.S. Army Cyber Center of Excellence and Fort Eisenhower.
From ancient times, armies throughout the world have conducted ceremonies to commemorate victories over enemies, hone comrades-in-arms and celebrate special occasions. These ceremonies add color and pageantry to military life, while preserving tradition and stimulating "esprit de corps.” The Continental Army established the foundation by which our present-day ceremonies are performed, and this ceremony is an enactment of an Army tradition that is 249 years old. It reaffirms the concept that the Army is perpetuated on time-honored values and traditions and not on the accomplishments of individuals.
A packed house witnessed a small part of that tradition, as the Garrison colors and command authority of the U.S. Army Garrison, Fort Eisenhower, were passed from one leader to another.
Following the passing of the garrison colors, Kidd provided remarks celebrating the job done by Evans over the last two years and also a welcome to the new commander.
“Defending this nation and leading those that do is a tough, complex and unyielding way of life that demands excellence in every step taken,” said Kidd. “Competence is not enough; you have to be the best, doing your best each and every day and the best is what Fort Eisenhower got with Colonel Reggie Evans.”
He credited Evans with being “focused on people and investing in them to build a high performing team that enabled Fort Eisenhower to change dramatically. From executing the largest construction effort in the Army, to reforming the Army’s Family Housing Program, to rebranding the entire installation, virtually everything changed for the better.”
“Reggie…mission complete and well done,” Kidd added. “Your leadership has made all the difference here and will be felt long in the future. We wish you all the best as you head from the beautiful pines of Augusta to a windowless room in the Pentagon.”
Following Kidd’s remarks, it was time for the outgoing commander to say his farewells.
“I am not standing here if I had not been propped up and, in some cases, carried by the God that I serve,” said Evans. “During the times I thought He had forgotten about me, leaders (in this room) are representative of the village it takes to support a garrison commander.”
He added, ‘I’m going to do this a little different and go in reverse order. We normally end with Families…not today.”
He then went on to tell personal stories about his family members in attendance and thanking them for their support over the years. He also took time to thank many of the leaders in attendance, who were instrumental in helping him during his command, including the past four garrison commanders.
Before the ceremony, Kidd presented Evans with the Legion of Merit, for exceptionally meritorious service as the Fort Eisenhower garrison commander. As Kidd intimated before, Evans is headed to the Pentagon, where he will be working as a division chief for the Army’s G3-5-7.
Following Evans, Kazor started by thanking everyone for taking time out of their busy schedules to attend the ceremony.
“Your presence means a lot,” he said. “I also want to extend a special welcome to all our family and friends joining us on Facebook. Hi, Mom!”
He went on to say, “It is an honor and privilege to be part of such a storied installation, one that continues its transformation to meet the readiness requirements of the Army Cyber mission. Mr. Kidd, thank you for your trust and confidence in my ability to lead the garrison mission here. Major General Stanton, I look forward to being your mission partner within your command and the greater Fort Eisenhower team. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead this esteemed garrison, and I will work tirelessly to continue the proud legacy of excellence that defines this great fort.
“Next, I want to extend my heartfelt appreciation to Colonel Evans for his exceptional leadership and dedication over the past two years,” he said. “Thank you for the seamless transition and for graciously introducing me to the garrison team, helping me understand how we provide outstanding support and services to our mission partners and tenant units.”
He continued, “Our success is not measured solely by our military accomplishments; it is also reflected in the strength of our community – on and off the installation. My family and I look forward to being a part of the Central Savanah River Area community. Additionally, I consider our military families the unsung heroes of our Army and Sister Services (Joint Force). My mission is to provide you with support and stability through quality programs and services that allow your soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen to focus on their mission. I am dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for all who call Fort Eisenhower home and, to ensure that our families have access to the resources and support they need to thrive. IMCOM is the Army’s home, but Fort Eisenhower is our home.”
Kazor received his commission in the Chemical Corps, through the Army ROTC program at Creighton University, Omaha, Nebraska in 2000. He is a graduate of the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, and the Army War College.
Previous non-command assignments include service as a Battalion CBRN Officer and Battery Executive Officer in the 2-43 Air Defense Artillery Battalion, Fort Bliss, Texas; Brigade CBRN Officer and Deputy Division CBRN Officer in the 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas; CBRNE Response Team Leader and Plans Officer in the 22nd Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland; Brigade Operations Officer in the 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Cavazos, Texas; Battalion Executive Officer, 2-393 Infantry Battalion, Division West, 1st Army, also at Fort Cavazos; the Emergency Management Branch Chief, Deputy Chief of Staff, G-3/5/7, in the Pentagon: G-33, Chief of Operations, 20th CBRNE Command, Aberdeen Proving Ground.
His command assignments include: 21 months as Commander, 172d Chemical Company (Smoke), 2d Chemical Battalion, 48th Chemical Brigade, Fort Riley, Kansas; 16 months as the Commander, Bravo Company (Technical Escort), 22d Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort), 48th Chemical Brigade, Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland; 24 months as the Commander, Radford Army Ammunition Plant, Joint Munitions Command, Army Materiel Command, Radford, Virginia. He deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as a Battalion CBRN Officer and to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom as a Counter-IED Lab Officer in Charge and CBRNE Response Team Leader, CJTF-Paladin.
Kazor holds a Master of Science degree in Environmental Management from Webster University and a master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal; Meritorious Service Medal (4OLC); Army Commendation Medal with (1OLC); Army Achievement Medal (1OLC); Presidential Unit Citation (Navy); Joint Meritorious Unit Award (1OLC); Meritorious Unit Award (2nd Award); Afghanistan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star; Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; National Defense Service Medal; Army Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon; Non-article 5 NATO Medal; and the Army Staff Identification Badge.
Kazor is accompanied to Fort Eisenhower with his wife Katie, daughter Ashleigh and son Brendan.
| Date Taken: | 07.05.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 07.08.2024 08:17 |
| Story ID: | 475620 |
| Location: | AUGUSTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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