Fort Bliss Monitor

Brown says goodbye to 31st Bde., heads to D.C.

Spc. Dustin Perry
31st ADA Bde. Public Affairs

A change of command ceremony was held for 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade in which Col. Heidi V. Brown relinquished command to Col. Jeffrey R. Oeser July 9 at Noel Field. The reviewing officer of the event was Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons, III Corps deputy commanding general, who offered Brown a few parting words.

“We wish you Godspeed as you head to your new job,” said Simmons. “God bless you, God bless the United States Army and good luck.”

Oeser entered active military service in 1975 and served two tours of duty in Korea and Fort Polk, La., completing his enlisted term of service in 1978. In 1983, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. His most recent assignment was the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala.

“I would like to extend my thanks for the opportunity to command this superb III Corps brigade. I appreciate the vote of confidence,” said Oeser.

Oeser’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in history from Califor-nia State University, a master’s degree in leadership development from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meri-torious Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal and the Army Superior Unit Award.

Brown, a native of El Paso, was commissioned in 1981 upon graduation from West Point. In February 2003, she deployed along with the 31st Bde. to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before the beginning of the change of command ceremony, she received the Legion of Merit. Her next assignment is as the Executive Officer for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C.
“I wanted to get back to the Pentagon and the Army Staff. It gives me the opportunity to see a different level of the Army that I haven’t seen before,” said Brown. “I think it will open my eyes and broaden my knowledge of the Army.”

Brown’s education includes a bachelor’s degree from West Point, a master’s degree in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Her awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terror-ism Expeditionary Medal.

“I wanted to thank all of the organizations on the installation for everything they have done and will continue to do for Team Bliss and especially for 31st Brigade,” said Brown. “The Soldiers on the field are but a small representation of thousands who are truly special. You all look terrific and continue to make me proud each and every day.”

Holding back tears, Brown went on to express gratitude to her mother who was in attendance, and her father who died shortly after she took command in 2002.

“As I leave the field today, my thoughts drift back two years ago when my father was sitting in the stands with the rest of my family. He is now joined by some of our leaders and I am comforted that he is telling them the same bad jokes, war stories and fish tales that he used to tell me,” said Brown. “Mom, I only hope that I amount to at least half the person that you and Dad have been.”

Brown concluded by thanking both the Soldiers of 31st Bde. and their families for their selfless service, their sacrifices and their compassion for others.

“Thank you for the memories. I am forever changed.”

Col. Heidi V. Brown will have one final tribute and farewell July 29 hosted by the El Paso Center Against Family Violence. This luncheon is open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 593-1000 extension 400.



www.bliss.army.mil	Published for the Fort Bliss/El Paso, Texas Community	July 15, 2004

<map name="boxmap-b4"> <area shape="rect" coords="0, 589, 120, 600" href="http://rcm.amazon.com/e/cm/privacy-policy.html?o=1" > <area coords="0,0,10000,10000" href="http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/redirect?tag=&creative=92501&camp=8117&link_code=dl1&path=subst/misc/amazon-cobrand-cc/v3/marketing-from-associates-step1.html/ref%3Db1_assoc_29" > </map>	Brown says goodbye to 31st Bde., heads to D.C. Spc. Dustin Perry 31st ADA Bde. Public Affairs A change of command ceremony was held for 31st Air Defense Artillery Brigade in which Col. Heidi V. Brown relinquished command to Col. Jeffrey R. Oeser July 9 at Noel Field. The reviewing officer of the event was Maj. Gen. James E. Simmons, III Corps deputy commanding general, who offered Brown a few parting words. “We wish you Godspeed as you head to your new job,” said Simmons. “God bless you, God bless the United States Army and good luck.” Oeser entered active military service in 1975 and served two tours of duty in Korea and Fort Polk, La., completing his enlisted term of service in 1978. In 1983, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Air Defense Artillery through the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps Program. His most recent assignment was the Air War College at Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, Ala. “I would like to extend my thanks for the opportunity to command this superb III Corps brigade. I appreciate the vote of confidence,” said Oeser. Oeser’s education includes a bachelor’s degree in history from Califor-nia State University, a master’s degree in leadership development from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Air War College. His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meri-torious Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal with five oak leaf clusters, the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the NATO Medal and the Army Superior Unit Award. Brown, a native of El Paso, was commissioned in 1981 upon graduation from West Point. In February 2003, she deployed along with the 31st Bde. to Operation Iraqi Freedom. Before the beginning of the change of command ceremony, she received the Legion of Merit. Her next assignment is as the Executive Officer for the Assistant Secretary of the Army for Manpower and Reserve Affairs at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. “I wanted to get back to the Pentagon and the Army Staff. It gives me the opportunity to see a different level of the Army that I haven’t seen before,” said Brown. “I think it will open my eyes and broaden my knowledge of the Army.” Brown’s education includes a bachelor’s degree from West Point, a master’s degree in Student Personnel Services from the University of South Carolina and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College. Her awards include the Bronze Star, the Defense Meritorious Medal, the Joint Service Achievement Medal, the National Defense Service Medal and the Global War on Terror-ism Expeditionary Medal. “I wanted to thank all of the organizations on the installation for everything they have done and will continue to do for Team Bliss and especially for 31st Brigade,” said Brown. “The Soldiers on the field are but a small representation of thousands who are truly special. You all look terrific and continue to make me proud each and every day.” Holding back tears, Brown went on to express gratitude to her mother who was in attendance, and her father who died shortly after she took command in 2002. “As I leave the field today, my thoughts drift back two years ago when my father was sitting in the stands with the rest of my family. He is now joined by some of our leaders and I am comforted that he is telling them the same bad jokes, war stories and fish tales that he used to tell me,” said Brown. “Mom, I only hope that I amount to at least half the person that you and Dad have been.” Brown concluded by thanking both the Soldiers of 31st Bde. and their families for their selfless service, their sacrifices and their compassion for others. “Thank you for the memories. I am forever changed.” Col. Heidi V. Brown will have one final tribute and farewell July 29 hosted by the El Paso Center Against Family Violence. This luncheon is open to the public. For more information or to reserve a seat, call 593-1000 extension 400.