FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE DATE: July 16, 2013 6:02:56 PM CDT 5th Armored Brigade welcomes new commander Col. Raul E. Gonzalez, incoming 5th Armored Brigade commander, right, Maj. Gen. Warren E. Phipps Jr., First Army Division West commanding general, center, and Col. Eric O. Schacht, outgoing 5th Armored Brigade commander, salute the American flag during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 9. (Photo by Spc. Alexander Neely, 24th Press Camp Headquarters) By Spc. Alexander Neely, 24th Press Camp Headquarters FORT BLISS, Texas - Col. Eric O. Schacht marked the end of his command with the 5th Armored Brigade, First Army Division West, during a change of command here July 9. After over two years of command, Schacht, a native of Concordville, Pa., passed the brigade colors to Col. Raul E. Gonzalez, incoming 5th Armored Brigade commander, in front of a crowd of over 300 civilians and service members in attendance at Noel Field. Maj. Gen. Warren E. Phipps Jr., First Army Division West commanding general, right, passes the brigade colors to Col. Raul E. Gonzalez, incoming 5th Armored Brigade commander, during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 9. (Photo by Spc. Alexander Neely, 24th Press Camp Headquarters) “I would like to thank the great leaders, trainers and mentors in this formation and those that have preceded them that have gotten the job done in the past 25 months. This ceremony is more about you than it is about me, because you are where the rubber meets the road and the mission gets accomplished,” said Schacht. “And to the Soldiers of 5th Armored Brigade, I continue to challenge you to train and mentor the troops we are preparing to deploy with the skills, tactics, techniques and procedures they need to be successful in theater and bring everyone home.” Gonzalez, the former commander of Joint Prison of War/Missing in Action Accounting Command, Detachment Four in Oahu, Hawaii, expressed his gratitude to the audience. “To the commander, sergeants major, and each and every ‘Dagger’ warrior out there on the field today, I am humbled by your presence, and I am committed to fulfilling my duties as part of the Dagger team,” said Gonzalez. Col. Eric O. Schacht, outgoing 5th Armored Brigade commander, receives the ceremonial canister of the last round fired from the Salute Battery at the 5th Armored Brigade change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 9. (Photo by Spc. Alexander Neely, 24th Press Camp Headquarters) Maj. Gen. Warren E. Phipps Jr., First Army Division West commanding general at Fort Hood, Texas, recognized not only Schacht for his accomplishments, but also the entire 5th Armored Brigade. “While my comments today are focused on their commander (Col. Schacht), I would be remised by not expressing the great pride and gratitude for the exemplary manner you’ve trained units to assume the critical combat missions tied to the nation’s security,” said Phipps. “They say the best leaders inspire the best in us, and there is no doubt Eric has done that with his unit.” The 5th Armored Brigade is responsible for training selected United States Army Reserve and National Guard units west of the Mississippi River before they deploy to conduct operations overseas. The unit was formerly designated as 2nd Brigade, 91st Division. In 2007, the brigade was reassigned from Fort Carson, Colo. to Fort Bliss, Texas. Col. Raul E. Gonzalez, 5th Armored Brigade commander, speaks to a crowd of Soldiers and civilians during a change of command ceremony at Fort Bliss, Texas, July 9. (Photo by Spc. Alexander Neely, 24th Press Camp Headquarters) For more information contact: First Army Division West Public Affairs First Army Division West (254) 553-5003 Fort Hood, TX 76544 [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 12:09:44 +0000
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