Just 11 months after taking control of the U.S. Army Operational Test Command, Brig. Gen. Laura Richardson passed the unit's colors Monday on to her successor, Col. Joseph Martin.

Richardson is moving to the 1st Cavalry Division, where she will serve as deputy commander for support — and as the Army's first-ever female deputy division commander.

Martin previously served as III Corps chief of staff.

Although her time in command was short, Richardson's boss, Maj. Gen. Genaro J. Dellarocco, commanding general, U.S. Army Test and Evaluation Command at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., said her leadership marked a "paradigm shift" for the organization, which tests military equipment on behalf of the U.S. Army.

"(The test and evaluation command) is losing a great leader here," he said. "She showed a level of moral courage and leadership rarely seen today, from my foxhole."

Since July 2011, Richardson has overseen 47 operational tests; two large-scale Network Integration Exercises designed to enhance the Army's tactical network; and the deployment of three forward operational assessment teams to test equipment in theater.

Richardson described her year at the test command as a trial by fire, including a trip to the Pentagon to brief officials on equipment after just one week on the job. She attributed her success to her civilian and soldier co-workers and the command's mission: protecting the soldier, "the Army's most precious resource."

In her new role, Richardson will replace her husband, Brig. Gen. James Richardson, who now serves as deputy commander of III Corps. She jokingly told ceremony guest Lt. Gen. Donald M. Campbell Jr., III Corps and Fort Hood commander, that although she'd at times elevated the Operational Test Command crest higher than the 1st Cavalry Division crest outside their home, she'd now give the corps colors undisputed pride of place.

Despite Richardson's exceptional performance, Dellarocco said Martin was prepared to help the command "maintain and in fact exceed" its performance during the last year.

"He's a warfighter who knows how to take it to the enemy," said the major general. "He shoots bad guys and he does it well."

Martin, who commanded 2nd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, at Fort Riley, Kan., before coming to Fort Hood, said he understood the gravity of the work ahead.

"Ma'am, I understand the mission," he told Richardson, "and I'll continue on your work here for you."