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***image1***Call it a command performance starring Col. (P) Mark A. Bellini.
It’s official. Former Col. Mark A. Bellini, who has been wearing the “P” with parentheses after his rank for the past two years, is now a brigadier general.
General Bellini, 21st Theater Support Command’s deputy commanding general, pinned on the one-star rank in a frocking ceremony July 29 on the parade field at Panzer Kaserne.
Frocking, which began more than 200 years ago as a Navy practice of promoting an officer without the benefit of pay, historically was done in times of necessity to keep the chain of command intact by filling a crucial assignment with an officer who had previously demonstrated the required capability and proficiency.
“(General) Bellini is going to assume the very important position of the Quartermaster General of the United States Army. This is a truly significant position for the Army and (General) Bellini has demonstrated all the right abilities and skills to fill that position,” said Maj. Gen. Bennie E. Williams, the 21st TSC’s commanding general. “This is the cumulative effect of many years of superior service.”
General Bellini began his career in logistic support as a quartermaster lieutenant 26 years ago at Fort Carson, Colo.
Previously, he served as the deputy chief of staff of the U.S. Army Materiel Command and as the commander of the 1st Infantry Division Support Command, Kitzingen, Germany. While in Kitzingen, he deployed to Turkey in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Army Forces Turkey G-4 as well as DISCOM commander.
He assumed the duties as the 21st TSC’s deputy commanding general Sept. 3, 2004.
“(General) Bellini has been through intense logistical staff experiences in both Somalia and NATO joint duties in the former Republic of Yugoslavia … His numerous logistical staff and command positions prepared him for this day that we celebrate his frocking,” General Williams said.
“I wish there was time to name all the people who have helped us along the way – I‘m sure the list would be thicker than the New York City telephone book,” said General Bellini, speaking for himself and his wife, Carol.
