An official website of the United States government
Here's how you know
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

News | July 16, 2019

U.S. Army South Welcomes New Commander

By Sgt. Ashley Dotson, U.S. Army South

JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas -- U.S. Army South conducted a change of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio, Fort Sam Houston on July 15.

Adm. Craig Faller, commander of U.S. Southern Command, presided over the ceremony in which Maj. Gen. Mark R. Stammer relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Daniel R. Walrath.

In keeping with military tradition, Stammer relinquished command by passing the colors, which symbolize the transfer of responsibility and authority, to Faller, who then passed them to Walrath, providing him with the authority of command, and ceremonially recognizing him as the commander of U.S. Army South.

"This is a great day for United States Southern Command and United States Army South," began Faller as he bid farewell to Stammer and welcomed Walrath. "Thank you for your leadership and Daniel welcome to the team."

During his speech, Faller recognized the selfless service, passion, and hard work throughout the years that Stammer has dedicated to the Army as well as highlighting the missions the unit has accomplished during his command. 

"My experiences during the last two years have steeled my opinion that we are all in this together," said Stammer. "U.S. military or Partner Nations-we are truly brothers and sisters in arms, defending our countries and our ways of life. Our trusted partners are our strength."

Stammer touched on his experiences during his command of U.S. Army South recognizing the personnel of the organization. 

"America's Soldiers carry the nation's tasks on their shoulders; they interact with the people, they practice diplomacy, they dream of a better life, all the while they are preparing to apply just the right amount of force-precisely, decisively, and absolutely," said Stammer. "No one told them how to do it exactly. No cookie cutter solutions exist. So America looks for men and women with the broadest shoulders and the keenest wits and gives them the heaviest loads to carry, but none do this better than the Soldiers of Army South." 

Walrath began by thanking former mentors, his wife, and medical professionals at Joint Base San Antonio's Center for the Intrepid-for driving him during his recovery journey to continue his service.

"Southern Command's area of responsibility, as Adm. Faller mentioned 'Is our neighborhood' and Army South's mission to address common security challenges in cooperation with our neighborhood Army partners represents the modern day version of the Monroe Doctrine," said Walrath. "The importance of that should go without saying and I look forward to further strengthening our existing relationships and to growing new ones. To the professionals of Army South Soldiers and civilians-I am excited to join your team and together we will continue to creatively apprise capabilities from across the total Army that advance our regional standing while also building Army readiness. Together we will continue to advance our nations interest with the SOUTHCOM team across the AOR. Juntos Podemos!"

OUR PRIORITIES