An Army officer who has infantry combat experience; was director for Russia on the joint staff; speaks Italian, Russian and French; was a foreign area officer with a focus on Eurasia; and has degrees from Princeton and Yale universities took command of more than 12,000 Hawaii soldiers Thursday as the new head of the 25th Infantry Division.

Maj. Gen. Christopher Cavoli assumed command from Maj. Gen. Charles Flynn, who is moving over to Fort Shafter as a deputy commander of U.S. Army Pacific. The ceremony took place in front of about 4,000 Schofield Barracks soldiers who stood in formation on Weyand Field.

As is the case with most major command changes, the focus was on Flynn’s accomplishments, in this case at a time when the role of the Army is evolving, and with some historical perspective on the importance of having a ready land force in a vast Pacific region that often gets characterized by its naval advantages.

“This is a time when the operational environment in our Army and our world is as complex as ever. Global commitments are increasing, and readiness is our No. 1 priority,” said Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, head of I Corps in Washington state, the 25th’s higher headquarters.

Flynn “expertly led” Schofield Barracks in turning the Stryker Brigade into an infantry brigade, a Kiowa helicopter squadron into an Apache attack squadron, and integrating engineer battalions into brigade combat teams.

Flynn also increased operational readiness in the region, Lanza said.

“The soldiers of this division, to include Charlie himself, have lived and trained alongside soldiers in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, the Philippines and Korea,” he said.

Lanza said that Cavoli, who most recently commanded the 7th Army Joint Multinational Training Command in Grafenwoehr, Germany, is “exactly the caliber of leader to assume the mantle” of the 25th Division.

Flynn reflected on history, and in particular the need for capable ground forces in the Korean War just five years after the end of World War II.

“Many assumed that after a decade of big wars, the nation would never commit large ground forces again,” he said.

But the “most formidable military force” the world had known during World War II, including Schofield soldiers, found itself at war again in Korea in 1950. However, American ground forces were allowed to wither after the world war, and in Korea U.S. soldiers found themselves underequipped for the fight.

“This event was not that long ago,” Flynn said, noting that serious threats to freedom still exist. He added, “We should learn from history. It’s our responsibility to be ready.”

“So as I bid farewell to my comrades in the 25th Division, Tropic Lightning, always ready yourself. Always be prepared. Always train,” Flynn said.

Cavoli thanked Lanza and Gen. Robert Brown, head of U.S. Army Pacific, “for the opportunity to command this fine division. I understand the confidence you have placed in me, and I will not let you down.”