LAKEHURST – The Army Reserve recently held a change of command ceremony between two-star generals of the northeastern U.S. region.
The Army Reserve’s 99th Readiness Division’s change of command service was officiated by Lt. Gen. Robert Harter, commanding general of U.S. Army Reserve, and featured Major Gen. Kris A. Belanger, the outgoing commanding general of the 99th Readiness Division and Major Gen. Laurence “Scott” Linton, as the incoming commanding general, of the 99th Readiness Division.
The ceremony was held at the 99th Readiness Division headquarters located on the Joint Base. The commanding general of the northeastern United States for the U.S. Army Reserve leads the division’s mission to integrate capabilities with Reserve Commands to provide programs and services that enhance individual and unit readiness for mobilization and deployment of Army Reserve forces.
According to Sgt. 1st Class Deziree Lau of the 99th Readiness Division, Major Gen. Belanger stated at the ceremony that he wanted all to know “how much of an honor and privilege it has been to serve you and this great nation, and to end my career in the same place it began 39 years ago.”
“I am overwhelmed by your presence and, more importantly, deeply grateful for your support over the past two years,” Belanger, a New Jersey native added. “Together, we did a tremendous amount of work to build readiness and relevance.”
He joked that he would be remiss if he didn’t mention, “how much I’m going to miss New Jersey sweet corn, pizza, and all that great Italian food. Belanger grew up in Sussex County.
“The 99th has a great team, with great soldiers and civilians making great things happen, and they had a superb leader at the helm in Kris Belanger – a Jersey girl who has been back home for a couple years,” Harter said. “During her time as the 99th RD commanding general, Kris made a difference, getting after our number one priority in the Army Reserve – getting units ready for combat.”
Harter noted that “Kris Belanger is as talented and dedicated as they come.” Belanger relinquished command to Maj. Gen. Linton, who assumes responsibility for nearly 45,000 Army Reserve Soldiers serving throughout the northeastern United States.
Linton commented, “I understand that command is a privilege, and I truly appreciate the opportunity to lead the 99th. Almost everything we do touches an individual soldier or their family.” He enlisted in the Army as a non-commissioned officer in 1985 and, after graduating from the State University of New York at Cortland in 1992, he was commissioned as an armor officer.
The new commander comes to the division following his most recent assignment as the deputy commanding general-USAR, United States Army Training and Doctrine Command in 2022, and deputy commanding general, Center for Initial Military Training in 2024.
Linton holds a bachelor of science degree in economics, a master’s degree in human resources technology, and a master’s degree in strategic studies.
From its headquarters on Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, the division focuses on several crucial duties including:
- Managing over 500 Army Reserve installations, local training areas, buildings and facilities throughout the division’s 13-state region stretching from Maine to Virginia.
- Maintaining Army Reserve unit vehicles and equipment at nearly three dozen Area Maintenance Support Activities and Equipment Concentration Sites.
- Supporting Army Reserve Soldiers, families, employers and communities through numerous programs, initiatives and partnerships.
- Assisting with defense support to civil authorities by providing disaster relief and emergency management in the form of equipment, facilities and personnel.
- Providing more than 550 units consistent, realistic training support, modern equipment and personnel readiness to be ready now and help shape the Army Reserve for the demands of tomorrow.
The 99th Readiness Division is responsible to more than 51,000 Army reserve soldiers in more than 550 units at 332 reserve-component facilities and 33 maintenance facilities in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and the District of Columbia.
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is the second largest employer in New Jersey, second only to the State of New Jersey itself in terms of the number of employees.
