Maj. Gen. Michael Barbero reluctantly handed the reins of the United States Infantry Center and Fort Benning to Maj. Gen. Michael Ferriter in a change of command ceremony held Wednesday morning on Soldiers Field next to the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center at Patriot Park.
Barbero’s reluctance had nothing to do with his confidence in Ferriter or any misgivings about his new assignment as commander of Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq and commander of NATO Training Mission-Iraq, United States Central Command.
Barbero is simply struggling with leaving what he recently called “the most enjoyable and rewarding assignment” of his career.
“At the outset let me say that although I’ve known this day was coming for a couple of months, I’ve fully dreaded this moment,” Barbero said to an audience of hundreds of soldiers and civilians just moments after passing the colors to his successor, signifying the transfer of command responsibility to a new leader.
Third star
The future is promising for Barbero. For one, he’ll soon accept his third star and a promotion to lieutenant general. He’ll also get some time off to spend with his family before boarding a plane next month to Iraq.
During his six-month tenure as the 49th chief of the Infantry, Barbero oversaw progress in the Base Realignment and Closure initiative, which will see the Armor School move from Fort Knox, Ky., to Fort Benning and merge with the Infantry Center.
“Under his leadership the Infantry Center has continued to produce versatile soldiers and leaders with the skills necessary to conduct combat operations against full spectrum threats in an era of persistent conflict,” said Wednesday’s guest speaker, Gen. Martin E. Dempsey, commander of U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.
Barbero is about to embark on his third tour in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He most recently spent a year as deputy chief of staff for strategic operations with Multi-National Force-Iraq. For a year before that, he was assistant division commander for maneuver with the 4th Infantry Division in Tikrit, north of Baghdad.
Although just eight months have passed since he last returned from Iraq, Barbero said he’s looking forward to seeing the progress that’s been made there and helping with the Army’s transition out of the country.
“I was there at OIF (Operation Iraqi Freedom) One at the very beginning,” Barbero said. “I was there at the surge. We had some tough days and then we started to see some success. So I’m kind of excited to be here at the end state to transition and hand off more and more responsibility to the Iraqis. So, I’m excited about that. They’re ready for it and I want to be a part of it.”
New commander
Ferriter comes to Fort Benning from Fort Bragg, N.C., where he served as the effects coordinator for the 18th Airborne Corps.
It shouldn’t take Benning’s new commander long to get his bearings on post given his history there. In addition to attending the Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, as well as Ranger school, Ferriter has served three tours at Benning.
From 1991-1994 he served here in several positions, including Civil Military Operations and Plans and Special Operations officer. From 1996-1998, Ferriter was the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment. And from 2001-2004 he was the commander of the 11th Infantry Regiment.
“With his impeccable credentials and sterling reputation, Maj. Gen. Ferriter is the right man and the right leader to usher in the Maneuver Center of Excellence and to lead Fort Benning during this historic period of change,” Barbero said.
Ferriter has set specific goals for himself as he moves to pick up where his predecessor left off. For one, he said he’s committed to making sure schools and infrastructure are prepared for the influx of families and children from BRAC. Most importantly, he said, he’ll continue the task and tradition of producing battle-ready soldiers.
“I want everyone to show up every day inspired, knowing that they get to work with the best Army in the world — probably ever,” Ferriter said. “And if that’s not exciting then we need to check their pulse rate there.”
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