Photo By Spc. Sharla Lewis | Battalions with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division changed command May 11,...... read more read more
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FORT HOOD, Texas – Battalions with 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division saw six changes of command during a ceremony, May 11, at the division’s Cooper Field.
Battalion commanders and command sergeants major affixed streamers to their unit’s colors, awarding the Meritorious Unit Commendation to each unit for exemplary performance during their most recent deployment.
Each incoming commander had family members that traveled to Killeen for the ceremony, some from as far as Oregon and Puerto Rico. Many members from the surrounding communities and Fort Hood also attended the ceremony to see the transfers of command take place.
The new commanders’ wives received yellow roses welcoming them to the unit. Then, the new commanders rode across the parade field on horseback and took command of their battalions by receiving the colors from their predecessors.
The wives of the outgoing commanders received bouquets of red roses as gestures of gratitude for their service to the units and their families and the outgoing commanders then rode off the field, leaving the units behind.
The former commander for 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Cameron Cantlon, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Oscar Pintado.
The former commander for 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Tim Brumfiel, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Esli Pitts.
The former commander for 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Andrew Poznick, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Arthur Sellers.
The former commander for 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, Lt. Col. Robert Wright, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Robert Hensley.
The former commander for 215th Brigade Support Battalion, Lt. Col. James Smith, relinquished command to Lt. Col. H.R. Willingham Jr.
The former commander for 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Lt. Col. Jack Vantress, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Michael Payne.
In his speech, Brigade Commander Col. Douglas Crissman highlighted the importance of the ceremony.
“In less than 15 minutes, we changed the leadership of all six battalions with the passage of their colors,” Crissman said.
Crissman added that though the battalions were seeing a change in command, not much would change because of the unit’s outstanding leadership.
The outgoing commanders led their units through pre-deployment training in 2010, a year-long combat deployment to southern Iraq in 2011, and re-integration in 2012.
Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, described the accomplishments of the teams of commanders over their recent deployment to southern Iraq.
“In fitting fashion, the GREYWOLF team made history as the final unit in Iraq after more than eight years of combat,” he said.
“As the last piece of rolling stock crossed the border out of Iraq and into Kuwait last December, I know the mixed emotions you undoubtedly felt.”
Allyn said that normally, changes of command bring on emotions of anxiety and gratitude but that a calm permeated the brigade that day.
“As we draw near to the end of this team’s chapter, a new one begins today,” he said. “I know the new leadership will continue this legacy of excellence.”
| Date Taken: | 05.11.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 05.17.2012 14:43 |
| Story ID: | 88570 |
| Location: | FORT HOOD, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 689 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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