Maj. Gen. Gary Brito takes command of Fort Benning in historic ceremony

On a day that he became the first black commanding general in the 100-year history of Fort Benning, Maj. Gen. Gary Brito did what a good officer does: He deflected the credit.

“First, it’s quite an honor to be selected as the commander of the Maneuver Center of Excellence,” Brito said in a brief news conference after the change of command ceremony in which he took over for outgoing commander, Maj. Gen. Eric J. Wesley. “And as the first African American, it is an extreme honor and a privilege. I am well aware that I stand on the shoulders of those who have come before me — paratroopers, Rangers, all soldiers who have done great things. I am extremely privileged to be standing here today, acknowledging the great accomplishments of many soldiers before me.”

Lt. Gen. Michael D. Lundy, who is the commander of the Army Combined Arms Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., was the presiding officer for the ceremony, which was moved into Marshall Auditorium because of inclement weather. He noted the importance of commanding Fort Benning, which is the central training post for the Army’s infantry and armor branches.

“If you look at Fort Benning and look at the Maneuver Center, it is the toughest, most complex two-star command in the Army,” Lundy said. “I firmly believe that, and I have heard the Chief (Army Chief of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley) say that. And we only select our very best.”

That is underscored by where the last four commanders of the Maneuver Center have landed since leaving Fort Benning.

Gen. Robert Brown is commander of the U.S. Army Pacific; Lt. Gen. H.R. McMaster is the national security adviser to President Donald Trump; Lt. Gen. Scott Miller is commander of the Joint Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg; and Wesley is moving into the three-star post McMaster held before being elevated.

Fort Benning is in good hands under the leadership of Brito, who comes from a two-star command as the leader of the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La., Lundy said.

“When we looked at who would take the Maneuver Center, we looked around the Army at our best, because that’s who we had to pick,” Lundy said. “We brought team Brito here. Gary and Michelle have been the training center, training our Army. Who would be better to be competent at war fighting? ... I have spent a lot of time watching Gary completely reform the Joint Readiness Training Center into a world-class organization with phenomenal capability for our Army and for our world, because he trains international forces there.”

For Brito, it felt like he was coming home.

Brito was commissioned through ROTC as an Infantry Officer in March 1987 after graduating from Penn State University with a Bachelor of Science in Urban Planning. His first assignment as a young lieutenant was at Fort Benning. He also completed Ranger School here. He worked in the Officer Candidate School during one point in his career and was back at Fort Benning for a third time in 2004 when he was a battalion commander with the 3rd Infantry, 3rd Brigade, which was assigned to Fort Benning at the time.

“Although there have been many changes since I last served here, I can tell what remains the same — and I have learned this over the last few days — are the people,” Brito said. “Soldiers, families, retirees, and our community and state partners, both collectively and individually make Fort Benning, Georgia, a fantastic place to serve.”

The youngest of his two sons was born at Fort Benning and is now a soldier assigned to Fort Bliss, Texas.

Wesley and Brito have served together in Afghanistan at the National Joint Command and have a friendship.

“I know Gary Brito and he is a great friend,” Wesley said. “We served together in Afghanistan and have been friends since. He is a gentleman, he is a soldier and he has no fear. He is smarter than I am and I will tell you, it’s the first time I have passed the colors to friend of mine. And I couldn’t be more confident of this place under your command, Gary.”

Lundy had high praise for Wesely as he was on his way out the door.

“There is no one I trust more than Eric,” Lundy said. “And he has demonstrated his trust in his subordinates. If you look at the complexity of this organization, and all the things it does, there is no way you can keep a handle on every single thing. You have to lead with trust and he has done that.”

This story was originally published March 19, 2018 at 6:08 PM with the headline "Maj. Gen. Gary Brito takes command of Fort Benning in historic ceremony."