Brigadier General Jeffrey G Smith Jr. Assumes Reins
In a visit back to the same ceremony from five months ago, the 5th Signal Command had another change of command ceremony last Wednesday. Brigadier General Susan S. Lawrence has been promoted to the Army Technology Network Command, NETCOM, a two star billet located at Fort Huachuca, Arizona.
Brigadier General Jeffrey G. Smith is slated to take over the 5th Signal reins, and was sworn in during the ceremony last Weds. Smith was formerly the deputy commander for NETCOM. Smith has served as the temporary interim commander with NETCOM in Arizona also for a short time before being re assigned to 5th Signal Command.
General David D. McKiernan, U.S. Army Commander Europe attended the ceremony, and was frank in his praise for outgoing commander Lawrence and the changes she has made for 5th Signal Command. “She has managed to cross the bridge while building it,†said General McKiernan. McKiernan spoke about the other accomplishments of Brigadier General Lawrence, including her increasing the USAREUR capability while saving nearly $25 million dollars in the process.
Brigadier General Lawrence also spoke and was swift to give others credit for the various accomplishments. She talked about the restructuring of various signal systems, and the network warfare center development.
“Because of the soldiers and troops in this command standing here today, this signal command is leaps and bounds more accomplished than before,†said General Lawrence of their performance in Iraq. Lawrence is a Doctor of Literature from Princeton and has been assigned to the war effort since the beginning of the Iraq conflict.
