Maj. Gen. Becker leaving Fort Jackson; successor is Iraq veteran

Columbia’s Fort Jackson will lose its commander, Maj. Gen. Bradley A. Becker, this May when he is reassigned to become the commander of five military bases in the Washington, D.C., region.

“It’s a great assignment,” said Becker, 51, who last year was promoted to a two-star general.

Becker said leaving Columbia – likely May 29 – will be difficult. “Of all the places we’ve lived, we’ve made more friends in the community than any place we’ve ever lived.”

Becker will be succeeded by Brig. Gen. Roger L. Cloutier Jr., who now is director of force management for the Army’s deputy chief of staff in Washington, D.C.

Cloutier is a career infantryman with multiple combat tours, Becker said. Cloutier formerly commanded a brigade in the 3rd Infantry Division and was a former deputy commanding general for that division, headquartered at Fort Stewart, Ga.

The move comes at a time when the U.S. Army is facing massive budget cuts, including decisions about what bases it will close.

Becker said Columbia and Fort Jackson – a major employer and economic engine – will be in good hands with Cloutier, who he met in 2010 in Baghdad during the Iraq war.

“He’s a great officer, with a great reputation,” Becker said. “The folks here are going to love him.”

Cloutier is on the leading edge of helping the Army work through budget changes and force reductions, Becker said. “This bodes well for Fort Jackson.”

Becker said he is honored to be named to his new post – his biggest assignment so far – as commanding general of the Army Military District of Washington and commander of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region.

He said he and his wife, Sherri, fell in love with Columbia and are considering eventually retiring here, instead of on the West Coast, where he has roots.

“Coming back here would almost feel (like) coming home,” he said.

Becker arrived at Fort Jackson after his predecessor was dismissed for misconduct. The two-star general leaves a legacy at the fort and in the Columbia area for embracing the community, area leaders said.

“He’s really invested his time and energy into this community,” said Carl Blackstone, executive director of the Greater Columbia Chamber of Commerce, calling Becker one of the best generals the fort ever has had. “Not only him, but his wife, Sherri, are very involved with various community organizations, including ours. They are great ambassadors for the Army.”

Becker was known as an outside-the-gate commander who actively engaged the community, even beyond Columbia.

For instance, Becker was the first Fort Jackson commander to address the Lexington Chamber of Commerce. He also has taken a leading role in rallying the region in the face of expected military budget cuts and base closings.

Becker has said he doubts any cuts at Fort Jackson would be as deep as the 3,000 job losses — about half of the fort’s employees — envisioned by Army brass as a "worst-case scenario."

Bill Dukes, South Carolina

’s civilian aide to the secretary of the Army, said Becker leaves Fort Jackson well positioned to weather the coming cuts.

“He has worked tirelessly to ensure that fort is best positioned in such a way for us to have the hope of adding missions, as opposed to being threatened to lose positions.”

This story was originally published February 13, 2015 at 4:58 PM with the headline "Maj. Gen. Becker leaving Fort Jackson; successor is Iraq veteran."