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Balderson takes helm at ASA-Dix

  • Published
  • By David Moore
  • Army Support Activity-Dix
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  Col. Shelley L. Balderson assumed command of Army Support Activity-Dix from Col. Jeffrey A. Doll in a traditional Army change of command ceremony here June 29.

The ceremony represented the formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the unit and Balderson adds a couple of firsts to the 98-year-old history of Dix: she is the first signal officer and the first commander to have graduated from basic training here.

Balderson recounted her first days here as a private first class, with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Brigade, watching planes take off and land at McGuire Field.

"My first hard lesson as a Soldier came shortly thereafter, when, having volunteered for police call - a duty I imagined was a valuable and highly specialized experience with the Military Police - I picked up trash in freezing temperatures and five inches of snow for three hours in and around the Wrightstown Gate," Balderson recalled.

She never imagined she would be serving as the ASA-Dix commander 28 years later, with her first commanding general, retired Maj. Gen. Rocco Negris, attending the event.

Balderson paid tribute to her family, many of whom are veterans or currently serving. She also recognized the former leaders, Soldiers, civilians, contractors and extended families of the Dix work force.

"I am proud and humbled to follow in the footsteps of the many great leaders whose pictures hang in Wurman Hall," said Balderson. "Just as many of these leaders recognized during their tenure, our path to the future is not always clear, but your support to our military service men and women is unwavering and steadfast.

"I look forward to opening new doors to the future with all of you, and forging a new legacy together at the home of the Ultimate Weapon," she continued.

Davis Tindoll, Jr., U.S. Army Installation Management Command region director, took the opportunity to laud Doll's efforts as ASA's commander over the past three years. 

"Throughout (his command), Col. Doll demonstrated unwavering support to the senior commander at the 99th Regional Support Command, and the mission of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst," Tindoll said. 

"He postured the Army Support Activity for continued success, setting a path to become an efficient, responsive and flexible organization capable of accomplishing its mission now and in the future," he added. "Col. Balderson, I am confident that with your demonstrated leadership you will build on the successes of your predecessors."

During Doll's command, he oversaw the processing of tens of thousands of military personnel through the Activity's Mobilization Force Generation model, sending Soldiers, Airmen, Sailors and Coast Guardsmen around the world for contingency operations. During Hurricane Sandy, the ASA supported emergency operations, along with joint base partners.

"Standing in front of you today is the last mobilized Army unit assigned to ASA-Dix for the mobilization mission - 1st Mobilization Support Group, Det. 1," Doll said.

He gave special recognition to the Soldiers of the 1st MSG who requested to stay on active duty and serve as the color guard for the change of command ceremony.

"Never has one man, owed so much too so many," Doll said, paraphrasing Winston Churchill. "Thank you all for the professionalism, partnership and comradeship of the last three years. It has been one of the very best experiences in my career."