Winchester Native Assumes Command of the Army's 10th Mountain Division

Winchester native, Mark Milley, a Major General in the Army, took command of the the 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry) last week. Maj. Gen. James L. Terry relinquished his command to Milley during a change-of-command ceremony.

Commanding Soldiers is a special time in a leader’s career, Gen. David M. Rodriguez, commander of U.S. Army Forces Command said.

“There is no greater honor and priveledge in the Army than to lead American Soldiers,” he said. “Commanding the 10th Mountain Division is a rare and extraordinary opportunity that comes with a full complement of challenges – operational deployments, extended command, and control relationships across multiple installations and strategic partnerships.”

As Terry looked at the units standing in formation before him, he reflected on the last few months of his deployment in Afghanistan.

“Words cannot describe how special it was to be in Kandahar when Osama bin Laden met his fate, and then to raise our nation’s flag over Kandahar Airfield on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 – the birth place of the Taliban – was especially gratifying,” Terry said.

“Without a doubt, if Julie and I could have picked any Army couple to replace us, it would have been Mark and Hollyanne Milley,” Terry said. “They too have raised kids here and … have been members and understand this great North Country community.”

Milley graciously thanked Terry and Rodriguez for their compliments and confidence.

“This is a special day in a special place,” Milley said. “For us, it is here at Fort Drum … that our kids came of age and spent their formative years. They were educated in the Carthage school system, played in the snow, romped around the Thousand Islands and most importantly, learned how to play lacrosse, which they both have gone on to play at the collegiate level.”

Milley said Fort Drum and the North Country is his Family’s “second home” and they are excited to lead the division.

“Today is really about celebrating the achievements of the extraordinary men and women represented by the Soldiers in front of us today,” he explained. “It is about thanking their Families for their unwavering support during multiple deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan; showing our appreciation to the Fort Drum community who support this division and post unlike anywhere else in the Army; it’s about honoring the legacy of those veterans … who have given so much of themselves in defense of freedom.”

Secretary of the Army John McHugh also attended the ceremony and expressed his support for the 10th Mountain Division’s newest commanding general.

“(Maj. Gen.) Milley knows Fort Drum – I think his total post time here has been about five years,” McHugh said. “You’re not promoted to lead any division – (especially) one that I would argue is as particularly busy as the 10th Mountain Division is – if the Army didn’t have the utmost faith in your skill and your abilities.”

During his more than 30-year service, Milley has “consistently shown himself to be a leader of great Soldiers, has done a terrific job and has earned the opportunity to lead a division that I know in his heart is particularly special to him,” McHugh added.

To see an interview of Milley, click here.

To watch video of the ceremony, click here.