Fort Knox is under new management.
Colonel Lance O’Bryan ended his two-year term as garrison commander of the Army post when he passed the unit’s colors on to the new commander, Colonel Christopher Ricci, during a ceremony at the Waybur Theater Friday.
O’Bryan became emotional as he talked about his time at Fort Knox, and said saying “thank you” was not enough to show his appreciation for his garrison team.
“There will always be challenges, there will always be friction, and not everyone will always be happy, but I can say with the utmost confidence that this team day in and day out puts their best foot forward and makes this installation run,” O’Bryan said. “The garrison team is the foundation of greatness, and make no doubt about it.”
O’Bryan, who is retiring after a 25-year military career, said the support shown by the surrounding community makes the post a special place.
“Fort Knox was my primary choice of installations to command back in 2019,” O’Bryan said. “It was my first choice for a variety of reasons, but front and center was the overwhelming level of support I felt when I was stationed at Fort Knox from 2012 to 2015. I was welcomed from day one, and that has never changed.”
Ricci, who comes to Fort Knox after serving as a battalion commander at Fort Liberty in North Carolina, said he is looking forward to getting to work.
“I look forward to rolling my sleeves up and helping Fort Knox in the wide array of missions taking place on this installation in any way I can,” Ricci said. “Fort Knox is, and always will be, the gold standard.”
Prior to the ceremony, O’Bryan’s wife Angie was presented with a certificate of appreciation for her support of the Fort Knox community. O’Bryan was presented with the Legion of Merit in recognition of his leadership of the post.
