Col. Richard S. Smudin takes command of 354th Civil Affairs Brigade

Photo By Capt. Brooke Stuedell | Brig. Gen. Stolte, commander of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, passes the brigade colors to Col. Richard S. Smudin, incoming commander of the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade. Command Sgt. Maj. Ryan Whitson, command sergeant major of the 354th, is also pictured. The assumption of command ceremony was held at McGill Training Center March 8, 2015.  

FORT MEADE, MD, UNITED STATES

03.08.2015

Story by Lt. Col. Patty Brewer and 1st Lt. Brooke Stuedell

352nd Civil Affairs Command

FORT MEADE, Md. — The brigade colors for a Maryland civil affairs unit were handed to an alumnus of Boston University during an assumption of command ceremony held March 8 at McGill Training Center here.

Brig. Gen. Alan Stolte, commander of the 352nd Civil Affairs Command, handed the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade colors Col. Richard S. Smudin. Stolte stated during his remarks that the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade is transitioning into capable hands.

“Rick was not selected to command by chance,” Stolte said. “He was selected because he had challenging assignments and did well with them throughout his military career.”

Also in attendance was Brig. Gen. Christopher Stockel, deputy commanding general of the U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) in Fort Bragg, North Carolina and Brig. Gen. Glen Goddard, commander of the 353rd Civil Affairs Command in Staten Island, New York.

“I’d like to thank Brig. Gen. Stolte, Brig. Gen. Stockel, and Brig. Gen. Goddard for joining us here today,” Smudin said during his remarks. “This is an immense honor I’m being entrusted with and I’m in awe of the responsibility.”

He thanked those in attendance, with special recognition to his wife, Jennifer, and his family.

“I especially want to thank my family for being here. It goes without saying that it is not possible without them,” Smudin said. “I don’t say it often enough, but I will say now, thank you for very much for letting me be here today and for your support.”

During Smudin’s remarks he spoke directly to the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade Soldiers praising their professionalism and passion for the civil affairs mission.

“I am looking forward to mining your ideas and your energy and working this journey together to make this the best brigade in USACAPOC,” Smudin said in closing. “I look at this a journey together and I can’t wait to get started.”

After the ceremony, Smudin’s wife and children shared how proud they are of Smudin’s accomplishments as husband and father.

During 27 years of military service, Smudin completed his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the Boston University School of Management and a Masters of Business Administration from the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University.

Smudin's most recent assignments include Battalion Commander of the 3rd Battalion of the 304th Infantry Regiment (United States Military Academy), Chief of the Civil Information Management Cell at the 353d Civil Affairs Command, and Chief of the Functional Specialty Team at the 353d Civil Affairs Command. His operational deployments include service as the Mobilization Plans Officer at Fort Drum in 2003, Civil Affairs Team Leader in Baghdad, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom II - III, and Division Engagements Officer for the Commander of Multi-National Division North at Contingency Operating Base Speicher Iraq during OIF 2007-2009.

• Date Taken: 03.08.2015
• Date Posted: 03.10.2015 23:38
• Story ID: 156604
• Location: FORT MEADE, MD, US
• Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: FORT MEADE, MD, US
• Hometown: RIVERDALE PARK, MD, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US