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Maj. Gen. Scott West, commander, U.S. Army TACOM Life Cycle Management Command, and host for the event, said a change of command ceremony is an "extremely important event in the life of any organization."

He continued by saying that it is a celebration for the organization and the NSSC had a lot to celebrate, especially two great commanders. One of who got us to the point we are today, West said, and one that will take us to a new level.

West, speaking about Brown's traits, said he is a tremendously selfless leader, who has the courage to do the right thing. Brown's always thinking about how something will affect his organization, his team, and Soldiers.

"He's been an advocate for our Soldiers," West said. "Every Soldier is better equipped because of Mark Brown."

Mentioning Fuller, West described him as, "An equally great leader in his own right." If you listed all the traits you wanted in a commander, Fuller would be that person, West continued. You couldn't ask for someone with better knowledge, background, skills and tools to do the job. "He's a great Warrior and leader."

During Brown's comments, he said for those who don't know Fuller that he is definitely the "right guy in the right place at the right time."

Brown commented on the unique situation with NSSC having a "remote" commander, although he said Natick was not the only one, some of his project manager offices are the same way.

However, he said he "recognized early on that Natick was a special place in the Army." In addition to being the only active duty installation in all of New England, Brown added that the Army was born in Massachusetts.

Continuing that NSSC has been an "outstanding team," he mentioned when he arrived in 2006, it was during tense times after a BRAC (Base Realignment and Closure) analysis.

"The Army doesn't do analysis," Brown continued, "and you can apply any model, but Natick won't fit."  Describing Natick, Brown said, that it's an "absolute jewel," and an "indispensable part of the Army."

He said a commander's role is to leave an organization better than they found it. The payoff is that 1.1 million Soldiers are better off, Brown said. I asked the team here to improve items for the Soldier and all of you figured out how, he said. We want to provide the best for the Soldiers fighting for us every day.

Fuller started off his comments by saying an 024 had come home, which drew laughs from the audience. 024 is the beginning of social security numbers for many people from Massachusetts. Fuller is originally from Andover, Mass.  Continuing, he said from what he heard during the ceremony, the NSSC is all about Soldiers.

"S and T [science and technology] starts and sustainment ends - they are all here," Fuller said. You enable a Soldier to go anywhere in the world, operate in any environment and be able to do his mission.

Mentioning the NSSC also supports Sailors, Airmen, Marines and the Coast Guard, Fuller said as commanding general he will, "strive to build teamwork."

He thanked the Natick Soldiers for volunteering, and commented their work will ensure the safety and sustainability of fellow Soldiers in harm's way.

Fuller said when he used to drive by on the Massachusetts Turnpike, he saw the sign for Natick but never realized what it was.

"Natick is a very interesting place," he said, and it's "always great to come home."