b'Photo By: Daniel BarneyCol. Jon Brierton, fromRecruit to Commander, an ASA Fort Dix Legacyhttps://www.dvidshub.net/news/425522/col-jon-brierton-recruit-commander-asa-fort-dix-legacyBy Senior Airman Matt Porter 87th Air Base WingWith ASA Fort Dix garrison command, Brierton foundJoint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs himself immersed in a new world, filled with its own set of NEWS | July 21, 2022 unique challenges and obstacles to overcome much like heA lifes journey is not always a straight line or even a windinghad 30 years prior with basic training.road. For U.S. Army Col. Jon Brierton, Army Support ActivityWhen I assumed command, the Joint Base was in the Fort Dix commander and Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurstinitial stages of reacting to COVID-19, said Brierton. It was deputy commander, lifes journey has come full circle. extremely challenging for me to navigate protocols while Briertons 32-year Army career began in 1989, when thesimultaneously trying to keep the training pipeline open in young recruit enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserve as a movementorder to continue to build readiness across the joint force. specialist. In the summer of 1990, Brierton completed basicMy first priority was establishing the policies that ensured combat training at Fort Dix; 30 years later, he looks back on histhe health and welfare of those in the training pipeline.time after having served as a dual-hatted commander whereASA Fort Dix prides itself as the premier training installation his military career started. of the U.S. Army Reserve and joint forces. It can house more My journey here has been incredible to say the least, saidthan 8,000 soldiers and 20,000 weapons in buildings and tents on a temporary basis while units are training. Despite Brierton. It is not normal, or usual, to command the installationthese challenges, Brierton persevered with plans to advance where one did basic training. Over the course of 32 years ofthe garrisons training capabilities.service, I have trained here many times after basic training We revised our 5-year strategic plan and adjusted the vision and deployed to Afghanistan in 2012 from here as well. for future growth, said Brierton. ASA Fort Dix, being the 12 Military Appreciation Resource Magazine Thank You For Your Service'