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Bravo Company change of command

Photo By Staff Sgt. Bruce Johnson | Soldiers of the East St. Paul, Minn., based Bravo Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion...... read more read more

CAMP VIRGINIA, KUWAIT

01.13.2012

Courtesy Story

1st Armored Brigade Combat Team, 34th Red Bull Infantry Division

CAMP VIRGINIA, Kuwait – Soldiers of the East St. Paul, Minn., based Bravo Company, 1st Combined Arms Battalion 194th Armor, 1st Brigade, 34th Infantry “Red Bull” Division bid farewell to their company commander, Capt. Jon Anderson, and welcomed their new commander, Capt. Nicholas Maxwell, during a change of command ceremony here Jan. 13.

During 26 months in command, Anderson led Bravo Company through 2 annual training periods, pre-mobilization train-up, mobilization and deployment to Kuwait, and the successful completion of the Company’s convoy escort mission as part of Operation New Dawn.

Anderson says, “The high point of my career, so far, is of course my time as Commander of Bravo Company. The high point of my time in command was Dec. 16, 2011. That is the day the last Bravo Company soldier safely left Iraq.”

In addition, Anderson wanted share this observation, “A job will give you as much as you put into it. Finding a job you have a passion for is the secret to success in any field.”

For Anderson this was his second deployment in his 9 years in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Anderson was a platoon leader in Charlie Company, 1-194 CAB, during the 1st Brigade’s previous deployment to Iraq from October of 2005 to December of 2007.

Anderson moves to his new position as Battalion S-6 and will assume responsibility for the organizations communication and information systems.

In civilian life, Anderson lives in Shakopee, Minn., with his wife, Christina and son, Lincoln. Anderson works for the Department of Veterans Affairs as a loan technician.

Maxwell comes into the position of company commander after serving as the Battalion’s S-1, personnel officer. Maxwell previously deployed as part of Joint Task Force – Bravo at Soto Cano Airbase, Honduras in 2003 and 2004. Maxwell has over 14 years of service in the Minnesota Army National Guard. Maxwell served over 8 years in the enlisted ranks before being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 2005. Maxwell takes over command as the Company continues to train in Kuwait and prepares to redeploy later this year.

Maxwell says, “Getting a Company Command is an opportunity. Definitely a privilege, not a right. … With that in mind, I look forward to working with the leaders and families of Bravo Company to make the most of this opportunity and make the time I spend here the highlight of my career and hopefully the highlight of at least some of the other soldiers in B Company as well.”

In civilian life, Maxwell lives in Mankato, Minn., with his wife, Sara and three children, Cole, Hayden and Kaid. Maxwell works as a lawyer for the firm of Maschka, Riedy & Ries.