Fort Hood Welcomes New Commanding General - kcentv.com - KCEN HD - Waco, Temple, and Killeen

LTG Mark Milley was promoted from Major General this morning, before assuming command over III Corps and Fort Hood.

"Today we turn the page in the history of this great organization and begin a new chapter," GEN David Rodriguez, Commanding General of U.S. Army Forces Command, said at a ceremony outside of III Corps headquarters.

As LTG Milley joins the ranks of III Corps' great leaders, he's ranking his priorities for Fort Hood.

Combat readiness and soldier and family support are at the top of the list.

"They're inextricably linked, so those will be my priorities, train for war, train for combat, preparing the units and soldiers and the leaders, and then taking care of the soldiers and their families," said LTG Milley.

And in just a few months, the importance of a well-trained force will prove vital to the corps he's now called to lead.

"In Afghanistan, we will go over there, and we will advise and assist the Afghan national security forces to stand up and protect and defend their own people," Milley said.

He's been in the military for 32 years, deploying seven times in support of six different historical operations.

General Rodriguez said, "General Milley is a proven combat leader capable and worthy of the increased responsibility we've put on his shoulders today. He brings a wealth of experience and proven leadership to this corps and to this military community."

So this new commanding general hones in to the missions at hand, both overseas and inside the gates of the installation he now calls home.

"I look forward to serving here, I look forward to serving with the great soldiers of this Corps, and I look forward to leading them in combat in a very short amount of time," said LTG Milley.

General Milley comes from Fort Drum, New York, where he commanded the 10th Mountain Division.

Reporter: Sophia Stamas sstamas@kcentv.com

Photographer: Chris Buford cbuford@kcentv.com