GEN Mark A. Milley 39th CSA

[Richard]

I watched the Change of Responsibility ceremony at Fort Meyer today with GEN Milley replacing retiring CSA GEN Odierno.

GEN Milley was in the 5th SFGA and sports the SF Tab and CDQB. I know a few guys who served with him when he was in the 101st and 10th Mountain, and they say he was an exceptional commander.

His bio:

http://www.forscom.army.mil/cmd_staf...o_one_page.pdf

A few observations re the ceremony this morning:

- Change of Responsibility vs Change of Command? Hunh.

- I'm not sure how I feel about the hugging out on the parade field and on the lectern between the GOs and the Sec Army and Sec Def. My way of thinking about such a display may be more out-of-date than I thought. I'm a bit surprised the GOs weren't also given roses, too.

- I learned something new watching the Army Band execute the command of Parade Rest with their French Horns, trombones, etc. And watching a pass in review by the piccolo players in red coats was...a reminder of why I chose the SF career path.

- GEN Odierno is retiring in Southern Pines. Fort Bragg may see him frequently. How lucky for you guys living in that area.

- GEN Milley's remarks were a refreshing change to the "blah, blah, blah" of the Odierno's and Dempsey's of today's military. I'll post them as soon as the DOD publishes them as I think people should pay attention to how the new CSA thinks and what his sense of mission is about. I can see a bunch of current senior leaders now wondering about their futures under GEN Milley's leadership.

- When they played the "Army Song", GEN Milley sang along and seemed to be the only member of the reviewing party to know the words and sing them with obvious pride.

Richard