Current News
June 1999

Army welcomes Shinseki
as new chief of staff

by Pvt. 2 Jody T Fahrig
Army News Service

     WASHINGTON, D.C. --Gen. Eric K. Shinseki was welcomed to his new position as Army chief of staff Tuesday at an arrival ceremony on Summerall Field, Fort Myer, Va.
     Secretary of the Army Louis Caldera hosted the ceremony, which featured Secretary of Defense William S. Cohen as a guest speaker.
     Shinseki, a native of Hawaii, became the Army's 34th Chief of Staff, replacing Gen. Dennis J. Reimer, who retired Monday.
     The ceremony included a walk-through inspection of the 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard) by Shinseki as well as a full pass in review. Also entertaining the audience were The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own," and the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
     Following the inspection, Caldera welcomed Shinseki to his new position.
     "Gen. Shinseki is the chief that will lead the Army into the 21st century, ensuring that -- whatever the new century may bring -- every day our soldiers are contributing to keeping America strong," Caldera said.
     Caldera also commended President Clinton in choosing Shinseki, saying Shinseki is a soldier whose experience and wisdom are what is needed to lead the Army into the new millennium.
     "Gen. Shinseki is a leader of rock-solid integrity," Caldera said. He said the new chief of staff "knows what trained and ready look like from a muddy boots perspective."
     Caldera said Shinseki is "a leader who values and honors the contribution that every soldier has to make." Caldera also emphasized that Shinseki has exemplified the Army values and will include basic family values into the Army of tomorrow.
     Cohen praised Shinseki's efforts to maintain peace in the Balkans. Shinseki served in Bosnia last year as commander of the Stabilization Force there.
     "Indeed, the peace that Gen. Shinseki helped to make possible in that part of the Balkans instructs us today as we work to bring peace to the rest of the region," Cohen said.
     Cohen also recognized Shinseki's earlier Army service and offered his welcome to the new chief of staff.
     "Gen. Shinseki, whenever the hour has struck, you've answered America's call with noble action. Today the hour strikes again and the Army is indeed fortunate to have you at the helm. We celebrate your past, we celebrate your promise, confident that the men and women of America's Army, following your example, will always be there as well," Cohen said.
     Shinseki thanked all for coming and thanked the soldiers of the Old Guard.
     "They work so hard to make this moment memorable for us," he said.
     "They look good from up here," Shinseki said, standing behind the lectern. "They look better down there."
     Shinseki recognized past leaders such as Gen. John Pershing and Gen. Creighton Abrams who rebuilt the Army and promised to continue that building process.
     "We will build on their legacy by providing the leadership that keeps this Army pre-eminent in land warfare," he said. "We will aspire to be the most esteemed institution in the nation, the most respected army in the world, the most feared ground combat force to those whose actions would threaten the interests of the United States.
     "We know we have a non-negotiable contract with the American people to provide a trained and ready Army on demand," Shinseki said.
     Shinseki discussed his views on improving Army life for soldiers and their families, promising health care and educational opportunities to families of deployed soldiers.
     Shinseki also complemented Gen. Reimer's successful measures to integrate the Reserve and National Guard components of the Army.
      "Today I declare that we are the Army," Shinseki said. "Totally integrated with a unity of purpose. No longer the Total Army, no longer the one Army. We are the Army," he said, "and we will march into the 21st century as the Army."
      Shinseki graduated from West Point in 1965. A Vietnam veteran, he was wounded on two separate occasions.
      Shinseki has served as assistant S-1 (personnel) with the XXIV Corps, Vietnam; as an English instructor at West Point; as a Force Integration staff officer at the Pentagon; as commander in chief, U.S. Army Europe and Seventh Army, and as commander of the Stabilization Force in Bosnia.
      His awards and decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit (with oak leaf cluster), the Bronze Star with "V" Device (with 2 oak leaf clusters), the Purple Heart (with one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with two oak leaf clusters) and the Army Achievement Medal.
Shinseki has attended the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and the National War College. He also has a bachelor's degree from the U.S. Military Academy and master's in English from Duke University in North Carolina.

(Pvt. 2 Jody T Fahrig is a staff writer for Pentagram.)

Link to a message from the Honorable Loius Caldera Secretary of the Army at the Chief of Staff Arrival Ceremony

Link to remarks delivered by General Eric K. Shinseki at the Chief of Staff Arrival Ceremony

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