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New commander readying for deployment
quintas speaks
Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas speaks at his change of command ceremony last week. - photo by Photo by Lawrence Dorsey

Fort Stewart’s new commander won’t have much time to get settled in before he’s deployed to Afghanistan.

Maj. Gen. Leopoldo Quintas will deploy in July or August along with about 200 soldiers of the 3rd Infantry Division headquarters.

Called "Task Force Marne," the soldiers will replace a similar headquarters unit from the 1st Calvary Division at Bagram Airport.

The short turnaround is not a problem, Quintas told reporters Monday prior to taking command of the 3rd ID and its 24,000 soldiers.

"The good news is the division is in a tremendous state of readiness," Quintas said. "The division has been preparing a long time for this deployment and is very ready to execute this mission."

Quintas, who will leave behind a deputy commanding general as part of a "sound, well-practiced process," assumed command from Maj. Gen. James Rainey.

At first glance the two men seem very different. Rainey, a large man, has a built-in swagger and made headlines on a number of occasions by saying he expected to be at war sooner rather than later.

By contrast, Quintas, who is slighter in build, is professorial.

A 1986 graduate of the United States Military Academy with three master’s degrees — including one in applied mathematics from Rensselar Polytechnic Institute — Quintas is an armor officer who once taught math to West Point cadets.

He’s also had a number of combat assignments with the 3rd Infantry Division and has served in a range of high profile jobs — most recently as the director of "concept development and learning" at the Army’s "capabilities integration center" at Fort Bragg, N.C.

As 3rd ID commander, Quintas is now at the top of Fort Stewart’s chain of command.

"I believe we’ve got great leadership at every echelon," he said. "Our responsibility is to build and cultivate that leadership capability, and then what we have to do is empower those leaders to do what they need to get done by giving them responsibility, providing resources and then holding them accountable. And ultimately, taking care of those leaders, their soldiers and their families."

What’s more, Quintas, whose son was born on Fort Stewart and whose daughter graduated from Bradwell Institute, is now ultimately responsible for ensuring the relationship between Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield and area communities remains solid.

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Exchange Service salutes Vietnam vets with custom truck design
Army and Air Force Exchange Service redesigned logo 2011

To thank Vietnam veterans for their sacrifices, the Army and Air Force Exchange Service is debuting a new truck design, part of the Department of Defense retailer’s efforts alongside the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration to honor veterans during the 50th anniversary of the war.

“The Exchange is privileged to have the opportunity to recognize Vietnam veterans through our fleet,” said Exchange Director/CEO Tom Shull, who served in the Army during the Vietnam era. “These trucks will serve as rolling billboards, expressing gratitude for all who served during this era.”

The truck design features the silhouette of a lone service member set against the background of a faded horizon with a call to “thank a Vietnam veteran for service to our nation.” The single military member represents the warfighters who served during this time.

Three trucks in the fleet feature the commemorative design and will deliver merchandise to Exchange stores from the organization’s distribution centers in the continental United States.

The West Coast Distribution Center at Sharpe Army Depot in California; Dan Daniel Distribution Center in Newport News, Va.; and the Waco Distribution Center in Texas will each have a truck in service on their standard delivery routes, serving the whole country.

Air Force veteran Pat Thompson served in Vietnam before coming to the Exchange as a truck driver and mechanic. In his 18 years with the Exchange, he has deployed four times to support the troops. The new design means a lot to him.

“They remember,” said Thompson, who is based at the Exchange’s Waco Distribution Center. “We want to be remembered.”

The trucks also highlight the veteran online shopping benefit, which launched in November. The lifelong online military exchange benefit authorizes all who served honorably to enjoy tax-free shopping and exclusive military pricing at ShopMyExchange.com.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration is a program administered by the Office of the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The U.S. began commemoration of the Vietnam War’s 50th anniversary in 2012 and will continue through Veterans Day 2025.

The Exchange is a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, planning and conducting events and activities that recognize Vietnam veterans and their families for service, valor and sacrifice in conjunction with the commemoration.

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