Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Kristen Duus | Col. Earl B. Higgins Jr., the incoming commander for 1st Brigade, 1st Armored...... read more read more
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FORT BLISS, Texas - “In 1969, Sgt. Earl B. Higgins Sr. served in the 1st Armored Division as a medic, in the psychiatric ward of Darnall Army Medical Center at Fort Hood,” said Col. Earl B. Higgins Jr., during his change of command ceremony July 22.
Now, as his family lineage comes full circle, Higgins has become the 34th commander of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 1st Armored Division, “Ready First.”
Higgins took over from Col. Richard “Ross” Coffman, who has commanded the brigade since November 2013. Coffman has since moved to division to become the 1st Armored Division’s chief of staff.
The culmination of Coffman’s command was taking more than 3,000 Soldiers to the National Training Center in May, where they participated in a grueling 14-day brigade level certification.
“This brigade had the most successful rotation there, since the National Training Center transitioned from stability to decisive action operations in November 2012,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen B. Twitty, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss commanding general. “This organization is a success and you should be proud of all you and this brigade have accomplished.”
Though Coffman is moving on to greater things, he has immensely enjoyed his time as the brigade commander.
“Command is a gift and I love this unit,” said Coffman. “Commanders win the lottery every day because they have Soldiers.”
As Higgins settles in, the brigade will remain active in preparing for a brigade certification exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center in Fort Polk, Louisiana, within the next six months.
“My father is deceased, but I am sure he would be proud that today he has a son taking brigade command in the division which he served,” said Higgins. “I think this is an affirmation of the power of the American dream. We are humbled by the opportunity to continue to serve our nation and its remarkable Soldiers.”
| Date Taken: | 07.22.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 07.24.2015 18:45 |
| Story ID: | 171071 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Hometown: | CHARLESTON, SC, US |
| Web Views: | 1,433 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Son of former Iron Soldier commands 'Ready First', by SFC Kristen Duus, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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