Michigan National Guard Commander Promotion Ceremony Held
OutdoorHub 09.11.13
The 46th Military Police Command held a ceremony Saturday, September 7th, to recognize the promotion of Burton K. Francisco, commander of the 46th Military Police Command and Task Force 46, to the rank of major general.
The ceremony was attended by Maj. Gen. Gregory J. Vadnais, the adjutant general for the Michigan National Guard, CSM Daniel Lincoln, the command sergeant major for the Michigan National Guard, Francisco’s family, dignitaries from the State of Michigan and the Soldiers of the 46th MPC.
“I have known Burt for years and he is truly a Soldier’s leader,” said Vadnais. “Burt has lead at every level in the Army from platoon to brigade and I cannot think of a better person to lead the 46th MP Command, which has been designated as Tasked Force 46, with the very important command and control mission associated with the Command and Control CBRN Response Element – Bravo (C2CRE-B).”
C2CRE-B was created, in part, to assist civilian authorities in the event of a chemical, biological, radiological or nuclear event within the United States, and is comprised of a two-star general headquarters and five task forces (operations, aviation, sustainment, special troops, and medical); plus one Initial Response Force (IRF) specializing in decontamination, technical search and extraction, and medical triage.
As a result of his promotion, Francisco is one of two major generals serving in the Michigan National Guard, and one of only approximately 100 two-star generals serving in the entire United States Army. Approximately fewer than one–half percent of commissioned officers ascend to the top general ranks.
Francisco thanked all those responsible for the success in his career including his family and the mentors he has had throughout his years of service, but mostly, he thanked the Soldiers that he has lead, whose “… personal sacrifice, dedication and courage have inspired me throughout my time in the military.”
