153rd Engineer Battalion changes command

Courtesy Photo | U.S. Army Lt. Col. Jason Thomson, incoming commander, for the 153rd Engineer Battalion, South Dakota Army National Guard, speaks to audience members during a change of command ceremony in Huron, S.D., Sept. 7, 2019. Thomson assumed command from Lt. Col. Dennis Bickett, who served in the position since February 2018. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Spc. Cory Ann Ellis)  

HURON, SD, UNITED STATES

09.13.2019

Story by Lt. Col. Anthony Deiss 

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs   

Thomson assumed command from Lt. Col. Dennis Bickett, who served in the position since February 2018.
As commander, Thomson is responsible for the command and control of about 840 Soldiers in 5 units across South Dakota. The 153rd assists assigned units in meeting training, administrative and logistical requirements to maintain the unit’s readiness in support of their state and federal missions.
“I’m excited about the future of the engineer organization with South Dakota,” said Thomson. “The quality of Soldiers and leaders that we have in this organization is second to none.”
Thomson has over 23 years of service in the SDARNG. He first enlisted in December 1996 as a 12B combat engineer in Madison. In August 2002, he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the Officer Candidate School and assigned as an engineer officer.
Over the course of his career, Thomson has served in a variety of leadership and staff positions within the 153rd Engineer Battalion and 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, to include 153rd executive officer and S3 training and operations officer, and the 196th executive officer and personnel officer.
Thomson also served as commander for both Company C and Headquarters Company for the 153rd Eng. Bn. He is also a combat veteran deploying with Company C, 153rd, as a platoon leader in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from December 2003 – February 2005.
On the civilian side, Thomson works as a full time federal technician for the SDARNG as the administrative officer for the 196th MEB in Sioux Falls. Thomson holds a Bachelor of Science degree in economics from South Dakota State University and a Master of Science degree in strategic leadership from Black Hills State University.
Thomson is married to his wife, Shelly, and they have three children: Samantha, Abbigail and Sydney.

• Date Taken: 09.13.2019
• Date Posted: 10.23.2019 10:10
• Story ID: 348827
• Location: HURON, SD, US