By Dawn Arden
Public Affairs Office
FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (April 25, 2019) – Brig. Gen. Andy Munera relinquished command of the U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear School to Col. Daryl Hood during a Change of Commandant Ceremony hold Friday at Nutter Field House.
Commanding General of the Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood Maj. Gen. Donna Martin said Munera set the conditions for a progressive and successful Chemical Corps during his time at the school.
“Gen. Munera has greatly increased readiness within the regiment by overseeing increased rigor, complexity and realistic training in initial entry training courses to improve the quality of Soldiers going out into the operational force,” Martin said. “He also improved programs for CBRN officers in the career course as well as in the intermediate-level education course.”
Munera said it was an honor and a privilege to serve as commandant for the last two years, adding there is not a more versatile branch in the Army and few Soldiers that are more respected than “Dragon Soldiers.”
He said it is important that the corps keeps moving forward.
“We must all continue to work together to ensure the Chemical Corps and our Army remain ready to meet the current and future (CBRN) threats to our nation,” Munera said. “Together we must continue to develop and implement solutions to ensure the Army is ready today and modernized in the future to win in a contaminated environment as part of large-scale combat operations against peer threats.”
Munera said it was an emotional day in his household as they prepare to depart the installation.
“In 28 years in the Army we have never experienced a post that is so close, supportive, friendly and downright fun — Tacy and I are not saying goodbye to a post, but what we consider our family,” he said.
Munera and Hood graduated from the same Captains Career Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama, in 1996 and have spent their careers following after one another.
Munera said there is no one better to lead the regiment than Hood. Martin said Hood has impressive leadership experiences that make him more than capable to assume the role of commandant.
“Daryl, you have my absolute trust and confidence,” Martin said. “With your wealth of experience, keen intellect and strong, inspirational leadership, you are the right person, at the right time for whatever the future demands of the CBRN Regiment.”
Hood said he will do his “utmost” in serving as commandant, adding he is honored to be part of such a distinguished organization and it history.
“To the CBRN Soldiers, thank you for your service and commitment to our regiment and Army,” Hood said. “To all other Soldiers, service members and allied partners, thank you for your service to our nation. As we focus on strategic-level strategies to include Army modernization, we must continue to accomplish our mission of enabling movement and maneuver in the execution of large-scale ground combat operations in a complex CBRN environment.
Hood said in order to be successful at this mission it truly requires a team of teams.
About Fort Leonard Wood
Fort Leonard Wood is a thriving and prosperous installation that has evolved from a small basic training post more than 75 years ago to a premier Army Center of Excellence that trains more than 82,000 military and civilians each year.
Fort Leonard Wood is home to the U.S Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and three U.S. Army schools: the U.S. Army Engineer School; U.S. Army Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear School; and the U.S. Army Military Police School. In addition to training engineer, CBRN and military police specialties for the Army, Fort Leonard Wood also provides gender-integrated in-processing and Basic Combat Training for new Soldiers.
Fort Leonard Wood also hosts and trains with the largest Marine Corps and Air Force detachments on any Army installation as well as a large Navy construction detachment.
More information about Fort Leonard Wood is at: https://home.army.mil/wood/index.php/about/mission.