JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas –
Lt. Gen. Douglas Gabram assumed command of U.S. Army Installation Management Command in an assumption of command ceremony at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston Jan. 22.
Gen. Gus Perna, commanding general, Army Materiel Command, promoted Gabram in a private ceremony prior to the assumption of command.
Gabram assumed command from Maj. Gen. Timothy McGuire, who has served as acting commanding general since August 2019.
Perna thanked McGuire for his work as interim commander. McGuire will now return to his role as IMCOM deputy commanding general.
“Maj. Gen. McGuire, your leadership belongs in a book as an example for all of us,” Perna said. “Over the past five months, you have demonstrated personal, moral and physical courage. You are a remarkable leader and it is my honor to serve with you every day.”
Perna went on to describe his confidence in Gabram as IMCOM’s next CG.
“Lt. Gen. Gabram is a great Army leader, and IMCOM is a great Army team,” Perna said. “I feel confident that general Gabram will take IMCOM’s work to the next level. My one-word piece of advice to him during the passing of the colors was ‘press’.”
Perna pointed out the Chief of Staff of the Army’s number one priority is people.
“The chief believes that if we take care of Soldiers, families and civilians, our Army will remain strong for the long term. IMCOM is the quarterback of that solution.
“In his new role, Gabram will lead the organization responsible for the safety, care and morale of over 1 million Soldiers and their families,” Perna added. “This is one of the Army’s most sacred responsibilities.”
Speaking directly to the IMCOM workforce, Perna stated, “You are the unsung heroes of our Army. Because of you, our Families feel protected and safe as their loved ones deploy to war. Thank you for your professionalism and selfless service.”
During Gabram’s opportunity to speak, he mentioned the importance of success at home and down range.
“I have been privileged to lead Soldiers in combat many times,” Gabram said. “I know that if we fail to get it right at our installations, we could get it wrong in combat, and this will not happen.”
He also mentioned he is prepared to take command and support all the command does to help the Army.
“I look forward to taking on our mission of serving and supporting Soldiers, Civilians and Families and strengthening the readiness of our Army,” Gabram said.
Before assuming command, Gabram was the Director for Test at the Missile Defense Agency at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He was responsible for planning, programming, budgeting, staffing and managing a comprehensive Ballistic Missile Defense System test program to field an integrated and effective capability to the warfighter.
Before that he served as the commanding general for U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, or AMCOM.
As part of the Army Installation Management Reform Initiative, in January 2019 the Secretary of the Army made the decision to realign IMCOM to Army Materiel Command as a Major Subordinate Command with an effective date of March 1, 2019. This move improves how the Army integrates and delivers base support, services and facilities to enhance readiness and the well-being of Soldiers, families and civilians.