Harney Takes ALU Charge

Story by: Kimberly K. Fritz Family/Community Life Reporter Col. Robert A. (Rick) Harney accepts the Army Logisticss University guidon from ALU president John E. Hall during an assumption of responsibility ceremony Aug. 21 at the university. Harney was previously assigned to the U.S. Army Quartermaster School as the assistant commandant and chief of the Office of the Quartermaster General. (Photo by Kimberly K. Fritz)

FORT LEE, Va. (Aug. 23, 2012)- The Army Logistics University welcomed a new commandant Tuesday at a ceremony held in the university’s multi-purpose room.

Col. Robert A. “Rick” Harney assumed responsibility of the massive learning center in front of his Family and many supporters.

Ensuring the military mind is kept active won’t be a problem for this quartermaster. His previous two assignments were within the U.S. Army Quartermaster School, first in the Office of the QM General and then as the assistant commandant.

John E. Hall, ALU president, said when looking for a commandant Harney’s career path is a good template.

He brings an understanding of the Training and Doctrine Command vision and an understanding of the needs of the commandants we support,” Hall said. “He’s going to make us a better team than we already are.”

Hall spoke of the challenges Harney may face in his tenure as ALU commandant.

ALU is under tremendous scrutiny from the highest levels of the Department of the Army,” Hall said. “Not because we’ve done something wrong but the exact opposite.”

Hall said that TRADOC Commander Gen. Robert W. Cone wants Army schools and training centers to mimic the model ALU leaders created when the school opened in 2009.

“We’ve gained tremendous efficiencies,” he said. “What we still haven’t gained yet is the standardization through consolidation.”

Hall said that task will be Harney’s charge as commandant.

During his speech, Harney said he was honored and humbled by his new position. He thanked his Family, which included extended members who traveled from North Carolina to celebrate the day.

“I look forward to this extremely important mission,” Harney said. “You have my total commitment of excellence in all we do.”

Then, paraphrasing Gen. Maxwell Taylor, Harney said, “‘I view my position of leadership as one of servitude to Soldiers and their Families’ – I feel the same way. I look forward to serving with you all.”

The actual story can be found in the Fort Lee newspaper, the Traveller, at: http://www.fortleetraveller.com/.

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