Welcome to U.S. Army South from Commander and Command Sergeant Major

Commanding General and Command Sergeant Major Welcome Letter (click on attachment bottom right link to view actual letter)

Command Sgt. Maj. Zavodsky and I would like to welcome you to U.S. Army South. As the Army component of U.S. Southern Command, our mission is to conduct and support multi-national operations and security cooperation in the SOUTHCOM area of responsibility in order to counter transnational threats and strengthen regional security in defense of the homeland.

Through various operations, ARSOUTH has become the Army’s premier presence in Central and South America and the Caribbean.  Our humanitarian and civic assistance, peacekeeping, and security exercises and operations have proven to be instrumental in developing long-lasting, working relationships with our Latin American neighbors.

From the command’s earliest presence in 1904, when the first U.S. Soldiers arrived in Panama to assist with the construction of the Panama Canal, to our official designation as U.S. Army South in December of 1986, Soldiers have been working with our Latin American neighbors for more than 100 years.

The Soldiers and civilians that make up the ARSOUTH team are fortunate to participate in some of the most realistic and effective training throughout the armed forces and the command is prepared to meet the various types of missions expected in today’s Army.

If you are being assigned to ARSOUTH, you can be assured that you will make a significant and immediate contribution to your unit, your service, your country, and the mission here.  As a flexible, agile, rapidly deployable and responsive command, you should come prepared to conduct contingency operations a moment’s notice.

As part of the ARSOUTH team, you and your family can expect to enjoy some of the finest quality housing, schools, daycare centers, gyms, and shopping centers the Army has to offer.  In addition, Fort Sam Houston/Joint Base San Antonio’s medical facilities rank among the best in the country.  In short, quality of life for our Soldiers and their family members is extremely high.

We invite those coming to San Antonio to use this website as your source for command and community information.  At the top of the website, you will find a list of links that will give you an overview of my command vision, priorities, policies, messages, and more.  In addition, we encourage you to read ARSOUTH’s history to help you understand the scale and importance of our mission here.  If you take the time to navigate through this website, you will find answers to many of the questions you have regarding an assignment at ARSOUTH, which will make your transition to Fort Sam Houston/Joint Base San Antonio easier for you and your family.

I am honored to command Army South.  Command Sgt. Maj. Zavodsky and I take great pride in the sacrifice and service of every Soldier, civilian, and family member in the ARSOUTH fold.  We look forward to your arrival in San Antonio and to your contribution to U.S. Army South.

Defense and Fraternity!

Dennis C. Zavodsky                                             Frederick S. Rudesheim
Command Sergeant Major                                 Major General, U.S. Army
U.S. Army                                                              Commanding