BG Peter A. "Duke" DeLuca is going to become Commandant of the Army Engineer School...and not BG (P) Mark Yenter...who was previously slated for that position. So what happened? BG Yenter was nominated for promotion to Major General, and the Army decided to assign him as CG of the Maneuver Support Center at Fort Leonard Wood, replacing outgoing CG MG David Quantock...a Military Police officer. So, as one engineer friend of mine said, "We got a twofer!"
When the Army assigned MG Quantock to become CG of MANSCEN I was glad because I felt it was time a person other than an engineer command the installation, with its three schools...Engineer, MP and Chemical. Now, an engineer officer will return to that position, but I suppose it really makes no difference what branch that person comes from...it's all about leading soldiers and taking care of families that counts.
One interesting fact is, however, that both Yenter and DeLuca once commanded the 20th Engineer Brigade (Airborne) at Fort Bragg. DeLuca deployed with the brigade to Iraq in one of its largest configurations. The experience of both these fine officers will clearly help move the Engineer Regiment forward, following the excellent work done by now reassigned Engineer School Commandant BG Bryan Watson. If I were to pick a person to take BG Watson's place it would be BG Duke DeLuca. I just wish I could be there to see it all happen...close up...rather than from the sidelines.
