Photo By Amy Stork | Col. Brendon Dever addresses those in attendance after relinquishing command of the...... read more read more
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FORT HUACHUCA, Ariz. — Col. Brendon Dever, the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade commander, relinquished command of the Phoenix Brigade to Col. Patrick Schorpp, during a change of command ceremony on Brown Parade Field June 28, 2024.
Dever assumed command of the 111th MI BDE during the summer of 2022, leading them through two years of demanding training cycles where more than 12,500 students were educated.
Over the last month, Dever has presided over three of his battalion’s changes of command and said that after imparting words of wisdom for his battalion commanders, he was at a loss for words. His brigade first sergeants helped him out and provided him with only one word—Zonk—a word usually yelled at the front of an early morning formation that allows Soldiers a break from physical training to return to their barracks or homes for extra rest.
“I won’t become the legendary brigade commander who zonked everyone at the change of command,” he said. “But, what I really want to say today is to simply express the gratitude to this great team of teams that I have been fortunate to be a part of these last two years."
Dever said that it was an amazing two years being in command and it went by far more quickly that he could have imagined.
“To some of you out there, a career over a couple of decades sounds like a long time. But whether on the Army’s terms or our own, there will come a day when each of us will step off the field wearing the uniform for the last time,” Dever said. “So, to my family, I’m grateful when that time comes that I’ll spend those days to come with you.”
Maj. Gen. Rick Appelhans, U.S. Army Intelligence Center of Excellence and Fort Huachuca commanding general, presided over the ceremony.
“TRADOC’s motto is ‘Victory Starts Here’. Victory on tomorrow’s battlefield is only possible through the foundational training the 111th does,” Appelhans said. “It’s easy to see the impact across a Soldier’s professional career: from private to colonel, the 111th trains MI Soldiers and officers at all levels and echelons.”
Appelhans said the 111th MI BDE impacts organizations across the entire Army in a manner that is unique and critical and Dever delivered on the requirement to provide.
“Of the 51 courses offered, the Pheonix Brigade revised 36 of them – an impressive 71 percent - under Colonel Dever’s command to focus on Large Scale Combat Operations and the INDOPACOM AOR,” he said. “Equally important, the 111th improved the effectiveness of their cadre by placing a deliberate emphasis on instructor badge certifications. This kind of rapid transformation is necessary to ensure we posture the operational force for success.”
Appelhans welcomed Schorpp, and said that “fortunately, the brigade will be placed in the hands of another highly capable, tactically proficient, and battle-tested officer.”
Schorpp addressed the brigade, and said he was humbled and proud to be given the opportunity to join the ranks of the Soldiers and leaders standing on Brown Parade Field.
“I look forward to walking this path alongside of you as we train, educate, and develop the Army’s future MI Soldiers and leaders to ensure our nation can succeed on tomorrow’s battlefield,” he said. “Together we will build upon Colonel Dever’s legacy and write the next chapter of this unit’s great history. Phoenix 6 signing on the net.”
More photos can be found on the U.S. Army Fort Huachuca Flickr page: https://www.flickr.com/photos/us_army_fort_huachuca/albums/72177720318322320/with/53822096193
| Date Taken: | 06.28.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 06.28.2024 14:22 |
| Story ID: | 475161 |
| Location: | FORT HUACHUCA, ARIZONA, US |
| Web Views: | 116 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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