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"Texans Defending Texas"
MEDIA ADVISORY
Media wishing to attend the Change of Command is welcome to do so on Saturday, June 21, 2014, and must arrive no later than 9:40 a.m., to allow for parking and coordination.
Members of the media are required to RSVP no laten than Friday June 20, 2014, by 5 p.m., with the 36th Infantry Division Public Affairs Office at (o) 512-782-5259 or (m) 512-431-0787; email: adam.j.musil.mil@mail.mil
Camp Mabry is accessed at the Maintenance Drive gate from 35th Street. Media will be required to show credentials the gate.
FOR IMMEDIATE PUBLIC RELEASE:
Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division Welcomes New Commander
CAMP MABRY, Texas (June 18, 2014)- On saturday, June 21, 2014, Brig. Gen. Lester Simpson will take command of the 36th Infantry Division, Texas Army National Guard, from Maj. Gen. James K. "Red" Brown at a change of command ceremony beginning at 10:00 a.m., at Camp Mabry in Austin, Texas.
Maj. Gen. John F. Nichols announced earlier this year that Simpson would assumce command from Maj. Gen. Brown, who has commanded the 36th Inf. Div. since 2011. Brown was recently assigned as the First Army Deputy Commanding General-Operations.
Simpson received his commission in 1980 through the Univeristy of Texas at Arlington Reserve Officer Training Corps. Additionally, Simpson has served in a variety of key leadership positions to includeL Commander, 3rd Battalion, 144th Infantry Regiment; Commander of the 176th Engineer Brigade during combat operations in Afghanistan; and Commander, 71st Troop Command.
The change of command Ceremony is a military tradition that represents formal transfer of authority and responsability from one commanding officer to another. The passing of the colors enures the unit is never without official leadership. The ceremony will also include a review of troops, a cannon salute, and music from the 36th Inf. Div. band.
The 36th Inf. Div. is made up of five brigades and 14,000 soldiers. Over the last ten years, the division has trained and mobilized a total of 30,000 Soldiers across the state of Texas in support of combat operations and natural disaster relief.
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The mission of the Texas Military Forces (TXMF) is to provide the Governor and the President with ready and trained forces in support of the citizens of Texas and State and Federal civil/military authorities at home and abroad.
The Texas Military Forces are commanded by the Adjutant General of Texas, the state's senior military offical appointed by the governor, and is comprised of the Texas Military Department (formely the Adjutant General's Department), the Texas Army National Guard (TXARNG), the Texas AIr National Gaurd (TXANG), the Texas State Guard (TXSG) and the Domestic Operations Command (DOMOPS).
Texas Military Forces Public Affairs
P.O. Box 5218, Building 10
Camp Mabry (Austin), Texas 78703