HUNTSVILLE, Alabama - More than 100 Soldiers and civilians gathered at the Redstone Arsenal Community Center Thursday to help celebrate Maj. Gen. Stephen Strand’s promotion from brigadier general to major general.
Strand has served in the Army Reserve for more than 32 years and is the deputy commanding general for Reserve Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Strand assumed that position in August, 2017 and will continue serving in that function.
Maj. Gen. Michael Wehr, USACE Deputy Commanding General, Deputy Chief of Engineers, administered the oath of office. Wehr addressed the crowd explaining that Strand’s promotion is a test of potential.
“The Army believes you (Strand) have more that you can provide in the ranks as a major general and we are certainly in need of that for our future,” Wehr said.
As the Corps of Engineers DCG for Reserve Affairs, Strand is responsible for the policies, procedures, and command guidance on issues concerning reserve component engineer resources. More than 90,000 Soldiers make up the Army Engineer Regiment, and more than 74 percent of the regiment are reserve component Soldiers.
Wehr spoke about the importance of the reserve component in regards to the mission of the Army Engineer Regiment, and said he is confident Strand was the right man to guide and direct the engineer regiment’s citizen Soldiers.
“There’s a trust in the relationship you provide with the Corps of Engineers,” Wehr said.
“America’s sons and daughters still volunteer (to serve in the military) today regardless of understanding what the future may hold and that’s primarily because their parents trust the competency of the military and its leadership, and you (Strand) are part of that at the highest level.”
After the promotion and administration of oath, Strand addressed the audience and confirmed he will continue serving to provide ready-trained reserve component Soldiers to the Corps of Engineers and the regiment.
“I want to make sure I have a good vision for my role governing the reserve components and ensure I’m bringing the best advice to General Semonite (Lt. Gen. Todd Semonite, USACE Commanding General and Chief of Engineers) in what the reserve component can bring (to the mission,)” Strand said.
Strand is the liaison officer between the HQ USACE; the Chief, Army Reserve; the Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management Army Reserve Division; the U.S. Army Reserve Command; and the U.S. Army Reserve Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Kentucky.
Strand is a Huntsville, Alabama, native and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1987 through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Auburn University.
In his civilian career, Strand works as a lead engineer for the Joint Attack Munition Systems Project Office, Program Executive Office - Missiles and Space, on Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.