CAMP PERRY JOINT TRAINING CENTER, Ohio—Soldiers, Family members, special guests and Ohio National Guard senior leaders filled the Camp Perry clubhouse Jan. 10 to witness a historic change of command ceremony for the 371st Sustainment Brigade.
Lt. Col. Maria E. Kelly, the brigade’s deputy commanding officer, took the reins from Col. Daniel L. Tack, becoming the first female brigade commander in the Ohio Army National Guard.
“I am going to provide for you with unwavering leadership, with support, guidance and direction, strategic resources and a way forward,” Kelly said to her new brigade troops. “Give your best to yourself, to your Families, to your Soldiers and your duty.”
Kelly commanded the brigade’s rear detachment for 18 months during the unit’s 2008-2009 deployment to Iraq. She brings with her a wealth of command and organizational experience and knowledge including two combat deployments to Iraq, first in 2004 as a plans officer with the 371st Corps Support Groups and again in 2006 with the 237th Forward Support Battalion where she served as the base commander for Forward Operating Bases Marez and Diamondback and Mosul Army Airfield. She has also served as a public affairs officer, an Officer Candidate School instructor, detachment commander, battalion operations and training officer and battalion executive officer. |
“Diversity is one of this organization’s top priorities, and is an issue we’ve been committed to promoting for many years,” said Maj. Gen. Gregory L. Wayt, Ohio adjutant general.
Although Lt. Col. Kelly has only now become the first female brigade commander in the Ohio Army National Guard, Wayt said the organizational culture has been evolving for some time.
“You cannot just create a brigade commander, they have to be grown, nurtured and given opportunities over the span of his or her career,” Wayt said. “But we recognize that by providing those opportunities to all of our members—women and minorities included—we allow the best the organization has to offer to rise to the top. It makes us stronger and the selection of Lt. Col. Kelly as commander of the 371st demonstrates the validity of this ideal.
“She may be the first,” Wayt said, “but there are many powerful, intelligent women advancing in our ranks.”
Tack began his career in 1970 and is retiring from the Army National Guard with 40 years of service. During his time with the 371st, the brigade was awarded the Meritorious Unit Commendation and the Global War on Terrorism campaign streamers. Tack also received the Legion of Merit award during the ceremony. |
