Raider brigade salutes new commander

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Nancy Lugo | Col. Curtis D. Taylor, commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to Soldiers and families during the brigade Change of Command ceremony Dec. 11, 2015 at Fort Carson’s William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. “My name is Curt Taylor and I’m an American Soldier and today this Soldier is incredibly humbled to take my turn in command of this renowned brigade,” said Taylor, a native of Harker Heights, Texas  

FORT CARSON, CO, UNITED STATES

12.11.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo 

1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division

FORT CARSON, Colo. - Soldiers and families welcomed Col. Curtis D. Taylor to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a change of command ceremony at the Special Events Center, Dec. 11, 2015.

In a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries, Taylor assumed command of the brigade from Col. David M. Hodne.

“My name is Curt Taylor and I’m an American Soldier and today this Soldier is incredibly humbled to take my turn in command of this renowned brigade,” said Taylor, a native of Harker Heights, Texas.

Taylor was commissioned as an armor officer from the U.S. Military Academy in 1994. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree and masters’ degrees in Military Arts and Science, Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College and recently completed the Army Strategic Leadership Studies Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

“We have a non-negotiable contract with the mothers and fathers of America to ensure that no Soldier ever goes into harm’s way unprepared to do his or her duty,” said Taylor. “This will remain our number one priority and out most solemn duty in the Raider Brigade.”

Taylor comes to Fort Carson with 21 years of experience in operational and training assignments including four tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as a strategic planner, battalion operations officer, brigade operations officer, battalion commander and he most recently served as director of strategic assessments for the Army Chief of Staff transition team in Washington, D.C.

“To the Raider Family — you have accomplished an incredible feat over the past two years transforming an armored brigade into the best trained and best equipped Stryker Brigade in the Army,” said Taylor to a packed house at the William “Bill” Reed Special Event Center. “Your exploits at the National Training Center in October are legendary.”

Hodne assumed command of 1st SBCT in December 2013, under his leadership the brigade transformed from an armored brigade to a Stryker brigade. He successfully deployed the brigade to Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site, with the largest road convoy in Colorado since World War II, and later to NTC at Fort Irwin, California.

“I’m honored to hand over the care of these Soldiers to Col. Curt Taylor and his wife Jennifer,” said Hodne.

• Date Taken: 12.11.2015
• Date Posted: 12.17.2015 12:54
• Story ID: 184786
• Location: FORT CARSON, CO, US