Fort Hood commander removed from post by Army, being denied transfer to Fort Bliss

FORT HOOD, Texas -- The U.S. Army announced Tuesday that it is removing Maj. Gen. Scott Efflandt from his post as commander of Fort Hood and is now denying his previously delayed transfer to assume command of the 1st Armored Division at Fort Bliss.

The announcement came as officials announced a new "in-depth investigation into the chain of command actions related to Spc. Vanessa Guillen."

Guillen, 20, was killed and dismembered by a fellow soldier earlier this year.

This latest probe will be headed by Gen. John Murray, commanding general of U.S. Futures Command.

Already, another team of independent investigators appointed by the Army had been examining whether systemic problems and leadership failures at Fort Hood contributed to Guillen's murder as well as several other suicide deaths and a climate of sexual harassment at the base.

For Efflandt, he'll remain at Fort Hood for now as as deputy commanding general for support, the Army said. Command of a division is a key step in an Army officer's career and military analysts say losing the Fort Bliss post could be a career-ending situation for him.

When Efflandt's move was initially put on hold last month, the Army named Brig. Gen. Matt Eichburg to temporarily command the 1st Armored Division at Bliss "until further notice." Officials on Tuesday did not announce any change in the Bliss command, but said one would be forthcoming within days.

Normally an Army division is headed by a two-star major general, but on rare occasions one-star brigadier generals can be put in command.

(The Associated Press contributed background to this report.)