Gates, Mullen attend TRADOC command change

FORT MONROE, Va., Dec. 8 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates was at Fort Monroe in Virginia Monday for the change of command at the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command.

At the ceremony, the TRADOC flag was passed from Gen. William Wallace, who is retiring after 39 years of service, to Gen. Martin Dempsey, the new commander, WAVY-TV reported.

TRADOC headquarters is responsible for training soldiers in 32 schools at 16 installations across the nation, the NBC affiliate reported.

"This mission to recruit, and train the next generation of soldier, could not be more crucial in light of the threats that have emerged in this dangerous new century," Gates said.

The chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. Michael Mullen, told the audience that the U.S. military will have to watch its costs amid the economic downturn.

"I worry about an increased level of insecurity, instability around the world and in that regard we need to pay attention to that," Mullen said.