The new commander of the U.S. Army Garrison, Rock Island Arsenal, is “no stranger to the art and science of leadership.” The outgoing commander has “proven himself as a gifted leader.”
That praise came from a high-ranking civilian in military service during a change of command ceremony Thursday morning, July 14, in front of the historic Quarters One building on Arsenal Island.
During the ceremony, Col. Daniel D. Mitchell became the new commander of the garrison, taking over for outgoing commander Col. Todd J. Allison.
Both men are gifted leaders who have done – and will continue to do – great things in the military, according to Davis D. Tindoll Jr., director of IMCOM Sustainment for the Army Installation Management Command at Redstone Arsenal in Alabama. Mr. Tindoll was part of the change of command ceremony on Thursday that attracted more than 100 military and community leaders, soldiers and area residents.
During the brief ceremony, Col. Mitchell thanked the military and civilian communities for their support and said he looks forward to his new command.
Col. Allison gave a sometimes emotional farewell speech. During his time as commander of the unit, the region was hit by the COVID-19 pandemic and also suffered a weather disaster on Aug. 10, 2020, when a derecho hit the area and much of the Midwest.
“It was like coming into command during combat. … Those were some of the darkest days during my command,” said Col. Allison.
He praised people under his command and the entire Quad Cities command for helping him get through those toughest days.
“This community bleeds red, white and blue,” he added.
Col. Allison was in command of the garrison for two years. His next assignment will be in Europe, according to Arsenal officials.
Before coming to the Arsenal, Col. Mitchell most recently served as the U.S. Army Special Operations Command’s Force Modernization Center operations chief. He arrived in the region after completion of the U.S. Army War College.
As garrison commander, Col. Mitchell is in charge of the Rock Island garrison, providing facilities and base operations support and services to all Rock Island Arsenal tenants in the areas of law enforcement, crime prevention, security management, fire, safety, information management, facilities engineering, housing, infrastructure maintenance, and transportation. The garrison maintains telecommunications facilities and common resources, as well as community amenities and necessary services for morale, welfare, and recreation.
The garrison is home to more than 50 tenant organizations providing critical products and services to all of our Armed Services. It employs more than 5,000 military, civilian, and contractor personnel.
