ASA Dix welcomes new commanding officer

Published June 26, 2012
By Pascual Flores
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- It was the first day of summer as Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst community members, assembled to witness Col. Jeffrey A. Doll assume command of Army Support Activity-Dix at a traditional change-of-command ceremony here June 20.

"I am honored to continue this enduring tradition as the 93rd commander," said Doll, who took the reigns of command from Col. Patrick J. Slowey.

Davis D. Tindoll Jr., Region Director, Installation Management Command, Atlantic Region hosted the change-of-command between Doll and Slowey. Maj. Gen. William D.R. Waff, commanding general, 99th Regional Support Command, officiated.

"We have a remarkable event where we say farewell and welcome," said Waff. "Pat, thank you so much for all you have done for all of us."

Slowey assumed command of Fort Dix July 3, 2009 from Col. Ronald Thaxton, two months prior to the activation of JB MDL in Oct. 1.

The future of Fort Dix as a mission partner of JB MDL came about as a result of the 2005 Base Realignment and Closure Commission which consolidated 26 stateside military installations into 12 joint bases.

Construction began in the Pinelands of South Central New Jersey in June 1917 for what was to become the largest military reservation in the Northeast, Camp Dix. Named for Maj. Gen. John Adam Dix, a veteran of the War of 1812 and the Civil War, Camp Dix, would become a training facility for active Army, Army Reserve and National Guard units.

Camp Dix was renamed to Fort Dix on March 8, 1939, and became a permanent Army post, serving as a reception and training center for men induced under the draft of 1939.

The legacy of Fort Dix continued to expand. It would grow from a basic-training center in 1947; U.S. Army Training Center, Infantry in 1959; U.S. Army Training and Doctrine command in 1973; and in 1995, Fort Dix transitioned to Forces Command, as a regional reserve training site, mobilizing platform and support center. In October 1997, Fort Dix transitioned to the U.S. Army Reserve Command, until it became part of the Installation Management Agency in 2002. Fort Dix joined Naval Air Engineering Station and McGuire Air Force Base when they merged to form JB MDL Oct 1, 2009.

"The last three years -- correction the last 29 years -- have been a great ride; but like all great rides, sooner or later you need to get off the roller coaster and let someone else enjoy it. Jeff, it's your turn now -- I hope you enjoy it as much as I have," said Slowey.

Incoming commander, Doll was commissioned in Air Defense Artillery in 1987 after graduation from the North Dakota Military Academy Officer Candidate School. From 1987 to 1991 he served as a Platoon Leader with 1st Battalion 188th Air Defense Artillery and Air Defense Coordination Officer 1st Battalion 202nd Air Defense Artillery.

Doll transferred to the logistics corps where he served from 1992 to 2000 as executive officer, 263rd Quartermaster Company; S1, 383rd Quartermaster Battalion; observer controller, 6th Brigade, 91st Division; commander, 299th Quartermaster Company; supply officer, 596th Transportation Group; and contract officer, 1st Brigade 91st Division. Doll served from 2001 to 2002 as S4 logistics officer, 3rd Brigade, 104th Division, and deployed as deputy commander of support with the Allied Military Intelligence Battalion in Sarajevo, Bosnia. He served as operations officer G3 in 2003 with the 104th Division; from 2004 to 2005 he deployed as commander, 394th Quartermaster Battalion, and executive officer at Camp Doha, Kuwait, with Area Support Group Kuwait. He was assigned as operations coordinator and observer controller, Operations Group, Joint Readiness Training Center Fort Polk, La., from 2006 to 2008 and deployed to Afghanistan in 2008 as the senior logistics trainer. Doll served as Victory Base Camp Mayor, Camp Victory, Iraq, from 2008 through 2009. Doll's most recent assignment from 2010 to 2012 was commander, 2nd Battalion, 310th Regiment, at Fort Devens, Mass.

Doll's military education includes the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, the Quartermaster Officer Advanced course, Combined Arms and Service Staff School, the Command and General Staff College, the Army Logistics Management College, Logistics Executive Development Course, Joint Course in Logistics and the U.S. Army War College. His Awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (four awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal (five awards), the Army Achievement Medal, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (two awards) as well as many other campaign, and service medals.

Doll holds a Master's of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College, Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California, a Bachelor's Degree in Political Science from the University of North Dakota and an Associate Degree from Bismarck State College, N.D. Doll and his wife, Karen, currently reside in New Jersey.

"I look forward to the challenges, opportunities and the future accomplishments Army Support Activity-Dix will provide to our Soldiers, civilians, joint partners and our local and state communities. Our ultimate mission is to continue to ensure that our most important customer, the Joint Force Warrior, is provided all we can to prepare them for success here at the home of the 'Ultimate Weapon System,'" said Doll.

The outgoing and incoming commanders' recited speeches and exchanged the installation colors. The color guard retired the colors and the attendees sang the Army song bringing the ceremony to a close.

"Pat, best wishes to you," said Waff, then looking to Sloweys' wife, Kristin, "Kris, we are signing the hand receipt back to you, you're now responsible for him completely."

ASA-Dix welcomes new commanding officer