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MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, Okinawa, Japan – Brig. Gen. Frederick M. Padilla accepted command of 3rd Marine Division from Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis during a ceremony in front of the division’s headquarters on Camp Courtney June 30.
Padilla’s previous assignment was as commanding general of Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island / Eastern Recruiting Region.
Brilakis’ next assignment will be as Deputy Commandant for Programs and Resources, Headquarters Marine Corps, Washington D.C.
“This is a big day for the III Marine Expeditionary Force. It is a big day for the 3rd Marine Division,” said Lt. Gen. Kenneth J. Glueck Jr., commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force, of the changing of leadership for the division.
“You’ve absolutely done a superb job here,” Glueck said to Brilakis. “III MEF is much better today because of the leadership you have provided.”
Glueck told Padilla, the division’s incoming commanding general, that the guidance of the Commandant of the Marine Corps, Gen. James F. Amos, is clear.
“He wants us to be prepared for today’s crisis with today’s force, today,” Glueck said as he charged Padilla to have the division ready to respond when called.
In a letter to Padilla read by the narrator during the ceremony, Glueck wrote, “I am totally confident that with you in the lead, the ‘Fighting 3rd' will continue to thrive and accomplish every mission assigned to it. Welcome to the team.”
Padilla told the Marines, sailors, airmen, soldiers, Japan Self-Defense Force members, family members and friends gathered to witness the ceremony that he is looking forward to leading the division and being a member of the III MEF team. This is the first tour of duty in Japan for Padilla.
To the division’s Marines and sailors, Padilla said, “I am looking forward to the challenge. I am looking forward to building on the legacies, the history that is the 3rd Marine Division.”
“This is just a great team and a great brotherhood,” Brilakis said. “This has been a great opportunity out here in the Western Pacific. The sun never sets on the 3rd Marine Division.
“It is a proud organization. Whatever happens tomorrow, this organization will be ready,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 06.30.2011 04:21 |
| Story ID: | 72983 |
| Location: | MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP S.D. BUTLER, OKINAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 64 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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