As Maj. Gen. Terry Ferrell is about to move into his new command position at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, the best way to see what he'll do as the new commander of the 7th Infantry Division is to look at what he's done.
In Ferrell's last assignment, he talked about the importance of partnering with other countries in the fight again violent extremists across East Africa.
"We are truly brothers-in-arms and that's the end of the day desire that we are all combined, working together as they take this fight and finish this fight before it comes to their homeland," Ferrell said.
In an interview with the U.S. Mission Uganda on Oct. 22, 2013, Ferrell, as commander of the U.S. Combined Joint Task Force - Horn of Africa (CJTF-HOA), talked about countering violent extremists and the challenge of an ongoing and future military-to-military engagements between Uganda and the United States. The goal was to defeat violent Islamic extremist organizations in East Africa.
The threat of terrorism continues to be very real in the East African region, particularly in Uganda and Kenya.
In his new command, Ferrell will again be looking at partnering with other countries as the mission at JBLM begins to shift from the Middle East to the Pacific Rim. Ferrell begins his new job with the 7th Infantry Division Feb. 4.
Ferrell's support went beyond orders to complete a task. He saw the mission to counter violent extremist organizations as a way to help protect a group of people he had grown to respect.
"It's just a privilege - one to be here today in Uganda visiting this beautiful country and it's very humbling to see the people, the dedication of the people, the soldiers, all the security folks, but more importantly just the general public and what you do each and every day to make this a great country but also work and strive so hard to make East Africa a viable, loving, supportable region," Ferrell said.
That's the kind of commitment Ferrell will give as the commander who will oversee the training, deployment and welfare of more than 20,000 soldiers in seven brigades at JBLM.
Ferrell was born in West Virginia and joined the Army in 1984 and was commissioned an armor officer that year through the Reserve officer training corps program at Marshall University. He has served in South Korea, Germany, Bosnia and Africa.
Ferrell replaces Maj. Gen. Stephen Lanza, who will be the new commander of the Lewis-McChord's I Corps.
With the combined task force in East Africa, Ferrell was responsible for a 10-country, 2.4-million square-mile combined joint operating area. He took command there April 18, 2013.
Early in his military career, Ferrell's assignments included tank platoon leader and company executive officer at Camp Casey in Korea. Later, he became company executive officer and Battalion S4 at Fort Hood, Texas. He then became the tank company commander and headquarters company commander in Baumholder, Germany.
Ferrell has a degree in counseling and rehabilitation from Marshall University, a masters in business administration from Central Michigan University, and a masters in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. His military schooling includes the Armor Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Services Staff School, Command and General Staff College, and the United States Army War College.
Ferrell's awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal and the Combat Action Badge.