Photo By Sharilyn Wells | Col. Darrell Guthrie, far right, listens to Col. R. Christion Brewer, commanding...... read more read more
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SAN ANTONIO -- As the sun rose behind the historic Alamo into the big Texas sky, soldiers from the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade bid farewell to their commander and welcomed a new one, Aug. 7. Family, friends and tourists watched as Col. Darrell J. Guthrie assumed command of the 321st from Col. Kenneth Moore in front of the national landmark, a symbol of Texan and American pride since the famous 1836 Texas Revolution battle.
“I am truly honored and humbled to assume command of the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade. It is especially an honor knowing the unit’s lineage, the commanders who have preceded me, and having served as a member of the Brigade and one of it’s subordinate battalions, the 413th, for 11 of my 17 years of Army Reserve service,” Guthrie, a resident of Lubbock, Texas, said.
Guthrie’s other assignments include commander of the 492nd Civil Affairs Battalion of Phoenix, Ariz.; CJ5, Director of Plans and Policy, Combined Joint Civil Military Operations Task Force, Afghanistan; G5 operations officer, Multi-National Division-Southwest (United Kingdom), Banja Luka, Bosinia-Herzegovina; and commander of A Battery, 3-1 Field Artillery, Bamberg, Germany.
“I want to sincerely thank Colonel Moore for his assistance and friendship since my selection for command,” said Guthrie. “You should be very proud of your time here in the Alamo City and the unit you relinquish command of today. You are turning over a truly superb organization.”
The 321st is part of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) and was first constituted into the U.S. Army in 1945 as the 101st Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, Military Government Group from California. After inactivation in 1949 in Korea, the unit was redesignated as the 321st Military Government Group in 1955 and allotted to the Army Reserve. It was redesignated two more times until 1959 when it was changed to the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade and relocated in San Antonio in 1963. The Alamo has been prominent in the 321's unit insignia since 1974, making it the first civil affairs unit insignia to feature a national landmark
“To the soldiers and civilians of the 321st., I recognize that we remain a nation at war, and this brigade remains engaged in the fight with soldiers deployed to Afghanistan and the Horn of Africa; and with others preparing to replace them,” continued Guthrie. “As such, I take very seriously the responsibility for your readiness, training and safety.”
Civil affairs soldiers work with civil authorities and civilian populations in military areas of operation, supporting government operations, emergency actions and humanitarian assistance. By combining cultural awareness and language training with their civilian educations and backgrounds, civil affairs Soldiers help foster stability for foreign populations by developing economic, education and infrastructure projects.
“Now, I would be remiss not to point out that I am the second lawyer from Alabama to assume command at the Alamo,” added Guthrie, who earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Alabama. “Let’s hope that things work out a little better for me than they did for Colonel William Travis – 175 years ago.”
In his civilian occupation, Guthrie is special counsel to the law firm of Mullin, Hoard and Brown, L.L.P. He and his wife, Shari, have four children.
Moore, who served with the Army Reserve for over 30 years (25 years as Active Guard Reserve), gave credit to the Soldiers of the 321st for the success of the brigade while in command. He mentioned beyond deployment achievements, that he found personal satisfaction in which he had the privilege to command a unit that centralized Army selection boards selected eight new battalion commanders, five Army War College selectees and graduates, 16 newly promoted lieutenant colonels and countless promotions throughout the ranks of his command.
“Col. Darrell Guthrie, I am sincerely delighted that you will command the 321st because you are an incredibly experienced and educated senior leader, a seasoned civil affairs operator, and an officer that lives the Army Values,” said Moore. “You will most assuredly represent our Army with distinction, keep the institution sound, and care for our soldiers and families … These colors, and the sacred trust that goes with them, are now yours. Best of luck and I know that you will be an enormously successful brigade commander. The 321st is in terrific hands.”
Moore will reside in Southern Pines, N.C. with his wife and daughter.
| Date Taken: | 08.06.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.11.2011 14:58 |
| Story ID: | 75198 |
| Location: | SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 558 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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