Fort Hamilton Garrison changes commanders

Sen. Golden, Councilmember Gentile and Assemblymember Abbate Attend Ceremony

July 27, 2016 By John Alexander Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Sen. Marty Golden with Col. Joseph D. Davidson and his wife. Eagle photos by John Alexander

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On a sunny summer morning at the Engeldrum Bluff at Fort Hamilton Army Base, Col. Joseph D. Davidson, U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hamilton commander, relinquished command to Col. Peter Sicoli in a change-of-command ceremony that took place on July 27. In the same ceremony, Command Sgt. Major Kevin Fauntleroy, U.S. Army Garrison’s most senior enlisted, passed on responsibilities to Command Sgt. Major Tony Stephens as the garrison command sergeant major.

Col. Davidson hails from Congers, NY and was commissioned Armor branch in 1990 from Officer Candidate School. He holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Political Science from State University of New York at New Paltz; a Master of Military Arts and Sciences Degree in History from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; as well as a Master of Science in Natural Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Washington, DC.

Davidson is a Calvary officer who has served in a variety of command and staff positions in combat brigades throughout the U.S. and overseas, including multiple combat deployments to Iraq. He has received numerous awards and decorations for his service, and his next assignment will be as the deputy commandant, United States Corps of Cadets, United States Academy, West Point, NY.

Davidson offered poignant remarks, thanking a long list of people and organizations that aided him in his endeavors over the years. His voice trembled with gratitude as he thanked his deputy to the Garrison commander, Don Bradshaw, who has served since 1980. He also recognized the NYPD, the FDNY and the NY field office of the FBI, citing their professionalism and their help in “keeping us all safe, making sure we understand the greater threat and making sure we all stay vigilant.”

Davidson thanked his wife Erin and his two children, along with his parents, adding, “I hope they are looking down on me, hopefully proud.” He went on to mention his siblings, including his oldest sister, who flew in from France to be at the ceremony.

Davidson praised “the greater NYC area, particularly South Brooklyn, where we are right now, and the great communities of Bay Ridge, Dyker Heights and Bensonhurst, which are unbelievable. They retaught me valuable lessons, first and foremost that New Yorkers get a bad rap…New Yorkers are warm and caring, but most importantly proud people, and if you understand their approach to things, you will be successful here.”

Davidson also acknowledged the “unbelievable political leaders we have here,” naming Sen. Marty Golden, Councilmember Vincent Gentile and Assemblymember Peter J. Abbate, Jr., who were all in attendance for the ceremony. He added, “the three of those gentlemen epitomize public service and working for the good of their community.”

Davidson concluded his remarks by recounting the history of Fort Hamilton, where Robert E. Lee and Stonewall Jackson both served, admitting how proud he was to be the 147th commander of the army base. He called incoming Commander Sicoli a man “who I know will push the ball forward on a multitude of things I haven’t accomplished.”

Col. Sicoli, a New Hyde Park, N.Y. native, is an armor officer who has served in a variety of command and staff positions in combat brigades throughout the U.S. and overseas including multiple combat deployments to Kuwait and Iraq. Prior to assuming command of the Fort Hamilton Garrison, he served as the operations officer with the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart, Ga.

Sicoli holds a Bachelor’s Degree in History from St. John’s University; a Master of Military Arts and Sciences Degree in Advanced Military Studies from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.; a Master of Science Administration from Central Michigan University; and a Master of Science in National Resource Strategy from the National Defense University, Washington, D.C.

Davidson is moving on to become the deputy commandant at the Military Academy at West Point.

Sicoli thanked the entire Fort Hamilton team for attending the ceremony. He said he hoped to “continue serving with you, continuing the strong relationships that have been built over the years. The bond that exists between Fort Hamilton and the community is honestly the strongest I’ve seen in my career.” He thanked his wife, Sharon, his two daughters, and Davidson and his wife for making the transition go as smoothly as it has.

“It is truly an honor to be commanding this historic installation, and I promise to work tirelessly to make this installation the best in the army,” Sicoli said.