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J2TDC welcomes new commanding officer

  • Published
  • By Spc. Sherwood Goodenough
  • 444th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Things have come full circle for New Jersey Army National Guard Col. Dennis W. Devery.

A year ago, the Moorestown, N.J. native was training at the Joint Training and Training Development Center for deployment to Afghanistan. Now he's the commander.

Devery received the organization's colors from outgoing commander Col. Loretta S. Thomas during a change of command ceremony at J2TDC, Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst March 6.

"Today I am honored to take over command at the Joint Training and Training Development Center," Devery said.

The JT2DC is recognized as a leader in technology based training solutions for the United States military and has also been used to help train visiting foreign military as well.

Maj. Gen. Glenn K. Rieth, Adjutant General of the New Jersey National Guard, commented on the facility's critical role in preparing the nation's war fighters.

"I think we owe it to any Soldier, any family and friend, any mother or loved one to ensure that Soldiers, when deployed, meet the Army standard," Rieth said. "That's what this facility is all about."

Rieth praised Thomas, a veteran of Iraq, for her leadership over the facility for expanding and improving the volume and efficiency of services provide by the facility during her tenure.

During her 20-month tenure, more than 25,000 servicemembers have been trained at the state-of-the-art facility in preparation for their deployments.

Her father, Col (ret.) Rudy J Saulter, proudly echoed the sentiments many shared about his daughter's career.

"She has done an absolutely outstanding job every place she has been since she first took her commission as a 2nd Lieutenant, and that has never changed," said Saulter.

The Edison, N.J. native choked with emotion as she thanked key members of her staff, her family and the team whose work was instrumental in the excellence achieved by the JT2DC during her time as commander.

"Soldiers at the Joint Training and Training Development Center, you are a fantastic group of Americans," Thomas said. "Your successes that I have been given credit for are your successes and your triumphs and I have never forgotten that. I will truly miss all of you."

Rieth expressed his confidence in the personage of the incoming commander.

"There is no question in my mind that we got this assignment right, because Dennis Devery is truly all about training soldiers," Rieth said.

Prior to this command, Devery served as the Deputy Director/Chief of Staff of the Afghan National Security Forces Development Assistance Bureau in Kabul, Afghanistan. In that role, Devery developed and implemented strategies to train Afghan military and police forces, as well as advising US, NATO and Afghan leaders concerning the growth of Afghan Security forces.