Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Jeff Daniel | Col. Ed Burley prepares to assume command of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command Dec. 5,...... read more read more
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FORT MEADE, Md. -- An Arlington, Va., Army Reservist who works in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia took charge of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command Sunday at Fort Meade, Md.
Col. Ed Burley accepted the unit’s colors from Col. Jim Ruf during the change of command ceremony. He said that this assignment is the greatest honor of his military career.
“I know the tremendous deeds the 352 has accomplished, both in war and in peace, in Kuwait, the Horn of Africa, Iraq and Afghanistan. I am humbled by the presence of so many friends who have served with me, both in Iraq and in prior units … I readily accept the responsibility to train, mentor and lead by example.”
Burley came to the unit from the 2nd Psychological Operations Group, where he commanded from October 2008 to November. Maj. Gen. David Blackledge, commander, U.S. Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command, presided over the ceremony and said that Burley was the right man for the job at a time when many of its soldiers are involved in operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
“Col. Ed Burley and I have been serving together for a long time,” he said. “He’s commanded at every level and now he’ll command this civil affairs command … I don’t know a more qualified officer to take command of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command at this critical point in history.”
Ruf, who resumed his duties as the unit’s deputy commander, took the 352nd CACOM’s reins when its previous commander was deployed last January. During his year in command, the organization deployed 25 civil affairs teams – made up of nearly 300 soldiers – to Afghanistan and Iraq.
“We accomplished all of these tasks and more without fail,” Ruf said. “These successes are the command’s successes, shared by all here, the results of [the] hard and at times difficult work of you all standing here today. Commanders, sergeant majors, officers, NCOs and soldiers: I want to thank you for your sacrifices as citizen soldiers. I know it is not always easy and today’s missions call for even greater time and commitment, always at a cost.”
Blackledge thanked Ruf for his service during the past year.
“Time goes by quickly,” he said. “I thank you for your past service and your continued dedication to our soldiers and their families.”
During his speech, Burley acknowledged Ruf’s accomplishments and said the two would work together to accomplish even more.
“Col. Jim Ruf has done a superb job of leading you over the past year and I want to recognize the sacrifices that Jim [and his family] have made. He has made you a great unit. We will work together to make it even better.”
Burley was commissioned as an infantry officer upon graduating from the University of Notre Dame in 1983. He has held command at multiple levels, including more than eight years at the company level and more than two at the battalion level. His career has included deployments to Bosnia-Herzegovina and Iraq and he recently returned from a six-month rotation to Iraq as commander of the Psychological Operations Task Force.
Burley holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame, a master’s degree from the U.S. Army War College and a doctorate in law from the University of Virginia. His decorations and awards include the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Expert Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge, the Ranger Tab, the Senior Parachutist Badge, the Air Assault Badge, the British Parachutist Badge, and the
Egyptian Parachutist Badge.
In civilian life, Burley is a federal homicide prosecutor with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia, where he concentrates on cold case homicide investigations. From 2004 to 2007, he was assigned to the Iraq Regime Crime Liaison’s Office to assist with the prosecution of Saddam Hussein and other former Iraqi leaders on charges of genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
| Date Taken: | 12.05.2010 |
| Date Posted: | 12.06.2010 10:42 |
| Story ID: | 61453 |
| Location: | FORT MEADE, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 636 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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