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 JWAC welcomes new commanding officer
A Marine colonel became the seventh commanding officer of U.S Joint Forces Command's Joint Warfare Analysis Center during a ceremony July 10.
By J. Steven Moore
JWAC Public Affairs
(DAHLGREN, Va. – July 13, 2009) -- Marine Col. Michael R. Orr assumed command of the Joint Warfare Analysis Center (JWAC) here Friday.
He replaces Air Force Col. Matthew H. Molloy, who departed in April.
JWAC, located in Dahlgren, Va., is a subordinate command of U.S. Joint Forces Command in Norfolk, Va. It examines technical challenges faced by U.S. forces and government agencies and then applies its scientific and engineering expertise to solve them.
Orr, who arrived from the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, D.C., became the seventh commander in JWAC’s 15-year history, and the first-ever Marine to hold the post.
“You’re getting a warrior,” said retired Marine Corps Lt. Gen. Martin L. Brandtner, guest speaker for the ceremony. “You’ve got a guy who knows what it’s like to have combat experience. It’s a privilege to bring aboard an outstanding Marine Corps officer.”
Orr assumes command of more than 500 employees, including members of all four services. In addressing the command for the first time at the ceremony, he described what makes a superior organization, citing hard work, product quality, and making the impossible possible and the difficult easy.
“Gen. (James N.) Mattis’ advice to me was be the best at what you do,” said Orr, referring to an earlier meeting he had with the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command, “And if you’re second best, strive to be the best. It’s appropriate as you think about what you do as a command and do to support the warfighter.”
A native of Jacksonville, Fla., Orr received his commission in 1988 via the Platoon Leaders Course in 1988 following graduation from McGill University and attended flight training at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. He learned to fly the A-6 Intruder and later the F/A-18 Hornet.
Following assignments at Beaufort, S.C., Aviano, Italy, and Japan, Orr flew combat missions in both Iraq’s no-fly zone and Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom, and later in Iraq during the initial invasion in 2003 and again in 2006-07. He has more than 3,500 flight hours, including 2,700 hours in the F/A-18.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal with the numeral five, three Navy/Marine Corps Commendation Medals, and the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
“Take care of each other, take care of your families, take care of deployed persons,” Orr said in closing. “If you do that, a superior organization will continue to press.” |
