FORT HOOD, Texas — III Corps, the largest armored corps in the U.S. Army, has been under the command of Lt. Gen. Pat White for the past three years.
A fighting force that he said is the most lethal in the world.
”There is absolutely no other fighting force like the III Corps anywhere in the world, of any army, for any nation,” said Lt. Gen. Pat White, III Corps and Fort Hood Commanding General.
It's a corps of 90,000 that spreads across several Army installations and around the world. White kept the III Corps ready to answer the call to combat.
”We’ve got almost every single military occupational specialty in the army, in this corps,” said White. “We fly helicopters, we shoot artillery pieces, we've got tanks and Bradleys out there, we've got the most modern communicators in our engineers are the most modern that you have.”
Capabilities aside, the sheer size of the third armored core is a force to be reckoned with.
”If we're committed as a complete corps, all 90,000 of us to fight on our nation's behalf, the nation is sending us in because it's going to be over when we're done and we're going to win,” said White.
Being one of only 61 people to lead the nation's largest armored core is a responsibility that White hasn't taken lightly.
”Not only is it an honor, it's something you have to cherish,” said White. “You have to take advantage of every moment And remember that this is an opportunity that was given to you.”
Before he hands that command to someone else, he has a message for the soldiers and families of the III Corps.
”Nothing happens in this corps without you,” said White. “Whether you're a soldier, department of the army civilian, a family member, a contractor, somebody taking care of our kids in our schools, somebody working in our hospitals, it all happens because of you so, thanks.”
General White has spent decades fighting for his country and leading our nation's heroes and he is ready to hand the reigns to the next generation.
