Please Join the VCA in congratulating COL. Stephen Ryan on his appointment to be the new Commandant for the Veteran Corps of Artillery. COL. Ryan , who has recently returned from his latest tour in Afghanistan, is also LTC. Ryan, in the U.S. Army Reserves.  Spanning a career that began with his enlistment in the N.Y. Army National Guard in 1988, COL. Ryan has had assignments ranging from the 11th Special Forces Group (Airborne), to infantry to Logistics officer and more. Most of you will recognize the beret he wears. COL. Ryan has also seen combat duty in Iraq, and was awarded a bronze star for his role in rescuing a downed helicopter pilot.  His present federal assignment is Assistant G3 Operations and Plans for the 353^rd Civil Affairs Command, Headquartered in FT. Wadsworth, Staten Island, NY.

COL Ryan joined the VCA in 1993, and has served on both the color guard and firing battery as an enlisted member and later served as both the Ordinance Sergeant and the G3 Operations Sergeant. COL. Ryan was commissioned in the Corps, a Second Lieutenant from Master Sergeant in 2001 and served as both Asst G3 and G3. Prior to his present appointment he was the Vice-Commandant.

The troops of the VCA, welcome COL. Ryan and wish him the best in his new assignment.

HOOAH!

New SecDef Panneta vows to ensure that the United States “…has the “best-trained, the best-equipped and the strongest military in the world.””

Defense.gov News Article: Senate Confirms Panetta as Defense Secretary.

Please be advised that, upon the resignation of Commandant COL Charles C. Lucas, MD, the Council of Administration has appointed LTC Steven J. Ryan, Vice Commandant, as the Colonel Commandant of the Veteran Corps of Artillery, State of New York, effective immediately.

I am sure that you all join in thanking COL Lucas for his many contributions to the Corps, and in wishing success to COL Ryan as he succeeds to command the Corps.

Thank you.

J. Raymond Mechmann
LTC  FA  VCASNY
Chief of Staff

I’ve heard rumors that the Army beret is dead. There have been changes to the uniform and the patrol cap will be the standard ACU cover, BUT the beret will still be used for standard wear with the ASU, and also at the discretion of the commander.

The change will save some money and also answer the complaints of Soldiers who have to carry two covers and wear one or the other depending on what they were doing at the time.  See the link below for the full story from army.mil.

ACU changes make Velcro optional, patrol cap default headgear | Article | The United States Army.