By Kirk Hutchinson
Supervisory Public Affairs Specialist
Fort Riley welcomed the new garrison commander during a change of command ceremony Thursday, as Col. Joey Orr took command from Col. Jerry Nunziato, who completed two years as the garrison commander.
Wesley Leising, Chief of Staff for Installation Management Command – Europe, the higher headquarters for Fort Riley, presided over the ceremony and praised the outgoing commander, Col. Nunziato. “Every Soldier stationed here, every family living here, and every unit training here depends on this installation operating at its absolute best,” Leising stated. “Over the past two years you and your team have accomplished exactly that. You’ve remained focused on what matters most – taking care of our people.”
Col. Nunziato called the assignment “one of the greatest honors of my career.” He went on to say, “This role reinforced the idea that installations are not just about buildings, budgets, and infrastructure. It’s all about the people – the formations we support, the families we sustain, and the readiness we enable every single day.”
He also noted that success depended “far less on me and far more on the incredible team of civilians, volunteers, and community partners from Manhattan, Junction City, and across the Flint Hills region.”
Col. Orr, incoming Fort Riley garrison commander, thanked the Soldiers and civilians of Fort Riley, as well as the members of the Flint Hills communities, for welcoming him and his family. He closed his remarks saying, “I am overjoyed to be on your team and privileged to be a member of the First Infantry Division and the Fort Riley family. Thank you for what you do for Soldiers and families.”