Maj. Gen. John Meyer III assumed command of the 1st Infantry Division and Fort Riley Wednesday. He called this an extra special experience to come home to Fort Riley and the 1st Infantry Division.
Meyer first served at Fort Riley 24 years ago in the 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, and noted that it was extra special for him to come to the Post and the 1st Infantry Division. He called it "very humbling." Meyer also noted that he looked forward to working with the Soldiers and the community leaders on this Post.
Meyer succeeds Maj. Gen. ( Promotable ) D.A. Sims who will serve with the Joint Staff in Washington D.C. Sims told a change of command audience on the Cavalry Parade Field that in his 31 years in the he had not had any job like this one. "In the past two years we have seen the best of America."
He referred to Fort Riley initiatives that have occurred during his time at the Post including the Year of Honor recognition of 37 Congressional Medal of Honor recipients that have served during the history of the 1st Infantry Division. Sims added that he has also observed during his two years at the installation, the formation of cohesive teams that cannot lose on the field of battle.
Sims referred to Fort Riley's relationship with Kansas State University. "Although we wear camouflage we bleed purple at Fort Riley. "