Elvia Kelly
Fort Stewart Public Affairs
Fort Stewart, Ga. -
Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield welcomed new Garrison Commander Col. Kevin R. Gregory and Command Sgt. Maj. Louis C. Felicioni at a Change of Command and Change of Responsibility ceremony held at the newly-renovated Cottrell Field on Fort Stewart, July 6.
The director of the Atlantic Region Installation Management Command David D. Tindoll, Jr., hosted the ceremony.
As Marne Soldiers, Family Members and guests filled the seats, the Third Infantry Division Band, Stewart-Hunter garrison color guard team and the formation of Troops assumed their positions on Cottrell Field before the event began. Major Marc Blair was the commander of Troops.
As the ceremony began, outgoing Garrison Command Sgt. Maj. James Ervin led the color guard toward outgoing Garrison Commander Col. Kevin Milton, Tindoll and incoming Garrison Commander Col. Gregory.
Command Sergeant Major Ervin presented the garrison colors to Col. Milton as his final duty as garrison command sergeant major. He then met with Command Sgt. Maj. Felicioni to transfer the NCO sword, or saber, and exchanged positions on the field.
With the saber in hand, Command Sgt. Maj. Felicioni partially pulled-out the saber to perform the metallic click, which signifies the change of responsibility.
Command Sergeant Major Felicioni then stepped into his position as the new Stewart-Hunter garrison Command Sgt. Maj.
Colonel Milton passed the garrison colors to Tindoll, which signifies his relinquishment of command and completion of 38 months as the Stewart-Hunter garrison commander. Tindoll then presented the colors to Col. Gregory, which charges him with the responsibility as the new garrison commander. Colonel Gregory then handed the colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Felicioni as his senior enlisted leader.
[Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield] has such a long and proud tradition that supports the defense of our great nation, Tindoll said at the ceremony. Its my privilege to serve our Soldiers and their Families. Its an honor for me to host this change of command ceremony.
Tindoll shared that the installation received a number of awards, which includes the Army Community of Excellence and the U.S. Army Environmental award, during Col. Miltons and Command Sgt. Maj. Ervins leadership.
The Army doesnt train its officers to become garrison commanders, Tindoll said. I want to say Col. Milton and Command Sgt. Maj. Ervin have been an outstanding garrison command team. Theyve managed the best possible quality of life programs in the entire Army.
Before the commencement of the change of command and change of responsibility ceremony, an award ceremony was held for Col. Milton and wife Christi and Command Sgt. Maj. Ervin and wife Kathy at Club Stewart. The ceremony acknowledged their outstanding leadership and support of the Marne community throughout their stay at the home of 3rd ID.
Following the ceremony held at Cottrell Field, a reception took place welcoming Col. Gregory and his Family and Command Sgt. Maj. Felicioni and his Family as the new Stewart-Hunter garrison leaders.