Civil affars battalion changes command at historic Riverdale House Museum

Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Bicchieri | Col. Isaac Johnson Jr., 360th Civil Affairs Brigade commander hands the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne) colors to the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Marshall Straus Scantlin, on July 12, 2015.  

RIVERDALE PARK, MD, UNITED STATES

07.12.2015

Story by Sgt. 1st Class Joseph Bicchieri 

352nd Civil Affairs Command

RIVERDALE PARK, Maryland — The 360th Civil Affairs Brigade held a change of command ceremony for the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion (Airborne), during which outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Jeffrey M. Farris, relinquished command to the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Marshall Straus Scantlin.

A change of command ceremony is a long-honored tradition that officially transfers command authority from the outgoing commander to his successor.

An award ceremony was held prior to the change of command in which Farris was presented a Meritorious Service Medal for his hard work and dedication to the battalion.

Colonel Isaac Johnson Jr., 360th Civil Affairs Brigade commander, served as the reviewing officer during the ceremony and highlighted the accomplishment Farris made during his tenure as commander.

Farris started his military career in 1988 when he enlisted as a Combat Engineer. He received his commission in 1991 in the Louisiana Army National Guard after completing Officer Candidate School. Shortly thereafter, he graduated from Louisiana State University with a B.A. degree in journalism and a minor in marketing and economics. He deployed twice in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom. Farris held several leadership positions prior to his current command including Military Intelligence Company commander, Operations Officer for the 432nd Civil Affairs Battalion, Chief of Operations,G9, for the 4th Infantry Division and Commander of the 402nd Civil Affairs Battalion in Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico.

During Farris’ speech he thanked his wife, Dr. Karen Farris, for her support and encouragement. Farris reviewed his goals prior to taking command of the 450th.

"Focus on family, focus on career and education, and make sure the 450th is involved,” Farris said. “Be passionate.”

Farris took command of the 450th in 2013. He successfully grew the Battalion from three to five companies, recruited and trained 18 new officers over the course of his command. Under his leader ship, the 450th Civil Affairs Battalion won the 2014 Supply Excellence Award for the entire U.S. Army Reserve, and was rated the best battalion under the 352 Civil Affairs Command based on readiness metrics.

"No battalion comes close to our track record," Farris said.
Farris emphasized that the success of the 450th is because of its Soldiers. Farris challenged the 450th and their new commander to continue to build on their success as number one in the 352 Civil Affairs Command.

"The 450th develops the best NCOs I've ever seen in my career," Farris said.

Johnson handed the Battalion colors to Scantlin.

Scantlin comes from a long line of Soldiers. His father, retired Maj. Gen. Marshall H. Scantlin, is a Desert Storm veteran. His Grandfather, Robert W. Jackson, is a WWII veteran and Bataan Death March survivor, and his Great Grandfather, Roland Jackson, is a Spanish-American war and WWI veteran.

"It was an honor to be selected for command,” Scantlin said. “So many are responsible for me being here.”

Scantlin thanked his mentors and family for their constant support during his service.

"Thank you for letting me be here in peace or war, calm or storm,” Scantlin said.

Scantlin was commissioned in 1997 as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve and over the past eighteen year he has held a variety of leadership positions including Civil Affairs Team chief for the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), HHC Commander for the 657th Regional Support Group and HHC Commander for the 321st Civil Affairs Brigade. His decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medals, Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and Combat Action Badge.

• Date Taken: 07.12.2015
• Date Posted: 08.08.2015 07:36
• Story ID: 172563
• Location: RIVERDALE PARK, MD, US
• Hometown: BALTIMORE, MD, US
• Hometown: RIVERDALE PARK, MD, US
• Hometown: WASHINGTON, DC, US