Photo By Staff Sgt. Richard Wrigley | Col. Scott Jackson, commander, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, speaks to all those in...... read more read more
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FORT STEWART, Ga. - The long-planned and discussed reorganization of the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, was just finalized in the official ceremony held here on Cottrell Field Oct. 24.
The ceremony was steeped in tradition and was befitting the somber mood as brothers and sisters in arms bid each other farewell. The 2nd ABCT simultaneously said goodbye to both the 1st Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment “Battle Boars,” as well as the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment “Desert Rogues,” who have been reassigned to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat and the 1st Armored Brigade Combat Team respectively.
“Common to both formations are companies with established leaders, systems, and supported, networked families,” said Col. Scott Jackson, commander, 2nd ABCT. “These formations are ready for whatever mission lies ahead of them in their gaining BCTs.”
In addition to these two battalions, multiple companies also transitioned as complete units from within Spartan ranks to new organizations within the division footprint.
The reorganization comes as a major step toward the inactivation of the Spartan Brigade, slated to take place in January as the 3rd ID works to meet the nation’s call to reduce each active division by one brigade combat team.
Though it was a Department of Defense mandate to downsize, there was no real plan put in place to get there, just a mandated end-state. The senior Spartan leadership was determined to make the process of inactivating as seamless and painless as possible.
The Spartan Command Team planned this unique reorganization concept with regards to avoiding losing personnel in small numbers over the course time, while maintaining cohesive units for as long as possible.
“We’ve done this for the sake of morale, for the sake of efficiency, and most importantly, so that we can take care of the Soldiers and their families,” Jackson said.
While the hard work has paid off, and many of the more than 4,000 personnel who have or are slated to leave the brigade have not had to uproot their families or remove their children from school, a sadness still permeates the day.
Many past and present Spartans have reached out and expressed their sadness over the inactivation of this fine organization, however the message of the reorganization is not one of sadness.
“The Spartan Brigade was my first brigade in the Army, and has been my home for the past 20 months so it is sad to see that time end,” said Lt. Col. Sean Kuester, commander, 1-64th AR. “However, the Soldiers of both the Spartan Brigade and the 1st ABCT 'Raiders' are the best the U.S. Army has to offer, and it would be pretty narrow minded to complain about getting to serve along side men an women like that.”
In deed, the underlying from both the Desert Rogues and Battle Boars seems to be that of units ready to take on any mission, any time, anywhere, which should come as now surprise as this mentality has always been integral to the Spartans’ warrior ethos.
“The warrior spirit exhibited through our history has shaped our culture and continues to shape you,” Jackson said in his remarks at the ceremony. “Spartans, be proud of your service in this organization and the legacy it represents, knowing that you are now part of it, and that you helped make it - be proud to call yourself a Spartan.”
| Date Taken: | 10.24.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 12.10.2014 16:43 |
| Story ID: | 150000 |
| Location: | FORT STEWART, GA, US |
| Web Views: | 35 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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