Change of Command, 168th Engineer Brigade

VICKSBURG, MS, UNITED STATES

05.16.2020

Story by Spc. Christopher Shannon 

Joint Force Headquarters - Mississippi National Guard

On a humid, cheerful Saturday morning at the Vicksburg Readiness Center, the Soldiers and families of the 168th Engineer Brigade said farewell to one commander and welcomed a new one at a change of command ceremony May 16, 2020. Col. Kelvin Nichols, outgoing commander of the 168th Engineer Brigade, relinquished command of the brigade to Lt. Col. Kendrick Cager as colleagues, friends, and family watched the ceremony take place in person and via Facebook live due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Col. Kelvin Nichols has served more than 30 years, with a large portion of that time with the 168th Engineer Brigade at all levels, including becoming its commander for the past two years.
“I was supposed to retire two years ago and literally two weeks out from my retirement I was picked up for 0-6,” said Nichols. "When that occurred, I received a call from Maj. Gen. Janson Boyles, [adjutant general of Mississippi] saying, 'I want you as the commander of the 168th Enigneer Brigade.'"
“I said sir I’ll go where you need me to be," said Nichols.
"I have enjoyed serving in the engineer brigade at every level of command, and commanding the brigade has made those extra two years fly by," he said.
He is looking forward to retiring from the Mississippi Army National Guard and continuing his work with his civilian employer for a little while longer, but also hopes to continuing serving by getting a job with the military as a civilian.
Lt. Col. Kendrick Cager continues his near 29 years of military service as the new commander of the 168th Engineer Brigade, which he has been a part of since beginning his military career as a private in the 134th Engineer Company in December 1991.
“To my commanders, staff and Soldiers of the 168th Engineer Brigade, I look forward to serving with you as you are the heartbeat of this organization," said Cager. "I need the help of every Soldier in this formation to complete our mission. Every person in the formation has something to contribute regardless of your rank.
That being said, readiness will be our number one priority."
With the brigade’s current obligations to the local, state and federal civil authorities, the brigade cannot be caught unprepared to execute any mission tasked to them.
“To put things in prospective, I go back to the Soldier’s Creed. Regardless of our rank, MOS [Military Occupation Specialty] or jobs, we all have a responsibility and obligation as Soldiers to stand ready to deploy, engage and destroy the enemies of the United States of America in close combat,” said Cager. "Col. Nichols has done a great job preparing the Soldiers of the brigade, and I plan to continue the momentum he has started."
“We have to continue to strive, continue to improve, and continue to be there when we are required to be there, and I look forward to being your brigade commander."

• Date Taken: 05.16.2020
• Date Posted: 05.19.2020 12:14
• Story ID: 370156
• Location: VICKSBURG, MS, US