If Brig. Gen. Lloyd "Milo" Miles has his way, the soldiers assigned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord will be dancing under the lights.

Alluding to boxing great Muhammad Ali, Miles made it clear that greatness comes only through hard work and preparation.

"Before the next fight - before we dance under the lights - we must train here," said Miles during his brief remarks.

On Aug. 5, I Corps welcomed Miles as its newest deputy commanding general on a perfect summer afternoon.

"Summer is finally here," said Maj. Gen. John D. Johnson, acting commander of I Corps. "The Miles family shows up, and the sun and great weather came with them."

Miles' resume is impressive. After attending the Army War College, Miles commanded the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division from July 2002 to July 2005 during Operation Iraqi Freedom. From September 2007 to April 2009, Miles served as the assistant commandant and deputy commander of the U.S. Army Infantry School and Center at Fort Benning, Ga. What's more, Miles served in Baghdad as the director of Iraq training and advisory mission charged with training and equipping the Iraqi Army.

"He is known throughout the Army for his ability to train," said Johnson.

Those talents will be put to the test at Lewis-McChord.

Miles' responsibilities will focus on restructuring soldiers' training away from counterinsurgency and toward training designed to prepare soldiers for a full spectrum of situations.

"It is an honor and privilege to be with this family of eagles," concluded Miles.