By 1st Lt. Joshua Anderson
FORT GORDON, Ga.—Fall weather was in full effect as a cool breeze swept over Barton Field on Nov. 6 as a change-of-command ceremony took place.
With less than three months until the 63rd Signal Battalion (Expeditionary), 35th Signal Brigade (Theater Tactical) begins its move to Fort Stewart Lt. Col. Michael Martel relinquished command to Lt. Col. Tia Benning in a ceremony on Fort Gordon.
Martel completed two years as the commander of the 63rd ESB during which the battalion became responsible for multiple homeland security missions and readiness assignments.
“I truly enjoyed it; I enjoyed managing change, solving problems, helping leaders grow, and watching the team move in a positive direction” said Martel. “I was comfortable with it and would do it two more years if the Army let me.”
He will next serve as the deputy brigade commander for the first cyber protection brigade.
Benning, his successor, however, is no stranger to the 35th TTSB or “The Lion Brigade.”
“I am honored yet deeply humbled to stand here today as the new commander of this outstanding organization” said Benning. “My introduction to the United States Army was as a specialist in the 35th Signal Brigade. So to rejoin its ranks to continue writing its great lineage as a battalion commander is especially heartfelt.”
Lt. Col. Benning comes to the 63rd ESB from the Human Resources Command in Fort Knox, Kentucky where she served as the Signal Corps Active Component Major’s Assignment Officer for the past two years.
Her experience includes deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. She said that eagerly awaits the opportunity to lead the Soldiers of the 63rd ESB.
“We will soon stamp our signature marking a new chapter within the footprint of the 3rd Infantry Division (Fort Stewart), rock of the marne, all while providing premier communications support anytime, worldwide” said Benning. “There is no place I’d rather be than serving with you and sharing in all that our future holds.”
Martel and Benning are both proud children of veterans who deployed numerous times to Vietnam and both retired from active duty service after more than 20 years of service.
Date Taken: | 11.06.2014 |
Date Posted: | 11.13.2014 15:44 |
Story ID: | 147767 |
Location: | FORT GORDON, GEORGIA, US |
Web Views: | 653 |
Downloads: | 0 |
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