CINCINNATI -- Col. Peeples joined Lt. Gen. Spellmon as he pinned the one-star insignia onto her uniform in front of LRD workforce, as well as Col. Peeples’ family and friends.
“I want to start off by saying thank you for this privilege, said Lt. Gen. Spellmon. “It is truly an honor when you’re asked by an officer to host a promotion ceremony, and certainly to advance one of our very best engineers and officers in the Army to the rank of brigadier general.”
Rising through the ranks and leadership positions to become a general officer is a lofty and difficult achievement that fewer than one percent of military members ever reach. However, Col. Peeples has proven through her experience that she is more than deserving of this designation.
Col. Peeples assumed command of LRD on June 11, 2021. She serves as the senior military officer in the division, headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, responsible for delivering engineering and water resource solutions for the Great Lakes and Ohio River region, which covers 335,000-square miles and encompassing portions of seventeen states. The division’s civil works mission provides planning, construction, and operation of navigation structures and flood damage reduction, hydropower, environmental restoration, water management, recreation, and disaster response. LRD executes military construction in Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Michigan with design and construction of barracks, hospitals, airfields and family housing on military installations. LRD’s seven districts are in Chicago, Detroit, Buffalo, Huntington (West Virginia), Louisville, Nashville, and Pittsburgh.
In addition to her current leadership role, Col. Peeples has accumulated experience through a multitude of previous assignments leading to this noteworthy achievement. These assignments have included Engineer Bridge Platoon Leader in the 74th Engineer Company, Vertical Construction Platoon Leader in Alpha Company, Executive Officer of the 74th Engineer Company, 62nd Engineer Battalion (Combat Heavy) at Fort Hood, TX., Executive Officer of the 74th Engineer Company, Commander of Bravo Company, 864th Engineer Company at Fort Lewis, WA., Project Engineer at Fort Leonard Wood, MO, Program Manager for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at the Kansas City District, Kansas City, MO., Brigade Engineer of the 4th Brigade, 3rd Infantry Division, Fort Stewart, GA., Program Manager in the White House Military Office, Commander of the U.S. Army Garrison Carlisle Barracks, PA., and the Deputy Director for Operations for the U.S. Army Assistant Chief of Staff for Installation Management HQDA G9 at the Pentagon.
Col. Peeples will add this star to her collection of medals and achievements she has received over her impressive career, including the Legion of Merit Award with Oak Leaf Cluster Award, Bronze Star Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Joint Service Achievement Medal. She is also a recipient of the General Douglas MacArthur Army Leadership Award.
“I’m humbled by the responsibility that accompanies this rank,” said Col. Peeples before receiving her promotion. “Together, with an incredible division -- The Great Lakes and Ohio River Division, we will continue solving the nation’s toughest engineering problems. I will do my very best to lead and use this rank for good. Thank you all for being here today, and tomorrow. People first, winning matters, and let’s continue building America strong together.”
For more photos of the event, click here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/lrdusace/albums/72177720300407473
To see the full recording of the ceremony, click here: https://fb.watch/e8dps9hs4G/