Third Infantry Division Change of Command Ceremony (June 1, 2023)
This morning, Major General Charles Costanza relinquished his command of the Division to Major General Christopher Norrie. Lieutenant General Christopher Donahue, Commanding General of the Army’s XVIII Airborne Corps, served as the Reviewing Officer for today’s ceremony.
MG Costanza, a graduate of West Point (1991), commissioned in the Armor Branch, will now move to a new higher Army assignment that was not specified. MG Norrie most recently served as the Commanding General for the 7th Army Training Command in Germany. He is a distinguished military graduate of Bucknell University (Lewisburg, PA) and was also commissioned in the Armor Branch.
In his remarks, MG Costanza referred to Hinesville and surrounding communities as the most military friendly place that he and his wife had yet to serve in, a well-deserved compliment for Coastal Georgia residents who are, in fact, very supportive of the Army’s installations at Fort Stewart and Hunter Army Airfield, which we are so thankful to have in our midst. MG Norrie expressed his appreciation for the legendary and heroic Third Infantry Division and his gratitude for the opportunity to now lead it. He assured LTG Donahue that the Third I.D. would continue to fulfill its traditional role as the “hammer” for the XVIII Airborne Corps.
The ceremony was held at Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart and began at 8:00 AM, with participation by elements of the brigade-level units and soldiers assigned to the Division, along with the Division Band and Salute Battery. Several invited former Third Division Commanding Generals were also in attendance, which was an additional treat for former soldiers and long-time civilian followers of the Division.