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Ferrari to command IBCT
By Maj. Jason Fetterolf, 50IBCT/PAO
IBCT
Col. Steven Ferrari, left, incoming 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team Commander receives the colors from 42nd Infantry Division Commander Brig. Gen. Paul C. Genereux Jr. as Division Command Sgt. Maj. Richard Fearnside watches. Photo by Sgt. Ed Smith, 444th MPAD.

“I pledge my dedication and commitment to ensure the success of this historic brigade.”

On Feb. 23, artilleryman Col. Steven Ferrari formally took command of the Iraq-bound 3,463-strong 50th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) from Col. Jorge J. Martínez at the National Guard Training Center at Sea Girt.

“Sea Girt is an appropriate setting for this event today…we have mobilized Soldiers here for the Spanish-American War, World War I, the Global War on Terrorism, Operation Noble Eagle,” observed Maj. Gen. Glenn Rieth, the Adjutant General of New Jersey.

Influenced by his father, an Army Reserve military policeman, Ferrari’s Guard career began 27 years ago with his enlistment in the 1st Battalion, 112th Field Artillery Regiment in Cherry Hill. During his 16 years with the 112th, he went on to become a commissioned officer and progressed through virtually every position within the Battalion. At the Battery level, he began as a fire direction specialist and worked his way up to battery commander. At the Battalion level, he served as operations officer, intelligence officer, executive officer, and finally, battalion commander.

After his departure from the 112th, Ferrari served as Director of Training and Executive Officer at the Joint Training and Training Technology Battle Lab.

All of the jobs he held gave him an understanding of how a unit works at the lowest level, and his most recent assignment, State Training Officer (G3), for the Joint Forces Headquarters, New Jersey National Guard prepared him for the IBCT command. “It explained resourcing, strategies, the whole operational piece of a higher headquarters,” said Ferrari.

Then and now, the Guard focused him, instilled values and provided an environment of camaraderie for Ferrari. He reflected on how that life, coupled with fun missions to go to the field and shoot artillery maintained his interest to stay in the Guard. “We were literally ‘rocket scientists’ - We hit a target 20 miles away that you cannot see.”

The new commander has his work cut out for him. “The 50th Brigade currently faces the tremendous challenge of transforming from a legacy mechanized brigade to a modular brigade combat team, while simultaneously preparing for an overseas deployment in this uncertain and complex operational environment.” This is coupled with the preparation for mobilization to Fort Bliss, Texas in June and deployment to Iraq in the fall.

Ferrari shared several principles of success that got him to where he is today. To be successful, he said you must be confident, have competence, and communicate up and down. “Living the values you preach; to be honest and sincere,” Ferrari added. Finally, Ferrari emphasizes his overarching concept, “Always look out for the welfare of your Soldiers.”

Ferrari continued: “50th Brigade Combat Team…It’s now your time. It’s your time to defend freedom and the American way. It’s your time to make this a better world for our children.”

There is no doubt that this artilleryman will keep his word.


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Volume 33 Number 6 Staff / Information
     
(c) 2008 NJ Department of Military and Veterans Affairs
http://www.nj.gov/military