Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Katie Grandori | Col. Michael Kowalski, incoming commander of the 33d Infantry Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more
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Col. Michael R. Kowalski of Elmhurst, Ill., assumed command of the 33rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team from Col. Seth Hible of Winfield, Ill., during a Change of Command Ceremony at the brigade’s headquarters in Urbana on Aug. 17, 2025.
Kowalski, a data scientist with the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation in his civilian life, was the commander of the 244th Digital Liaison Detachment, 65th Troop Command, for the past two years. He had previously served for two decades in the 33rd IBCT including as the 2nd Squadron, 106th Cavalry Regiment’s commander, executive officer, and operations officer and as the brigade’s operations officer, executive officer, and now commander.
“It has been my honor and privilege to have served this brigade for over 20 years,” said Kowalski, adding that he looked forward to leading the brigade as it evolved to meet modern threats.
Hible, a 31-year Lake Park High School (Roselle, Ill.) teacher in his civilian life, said that he was the last Cold War-era commander of the 33d IBCT and Kowalski would represent a new generation of commanders for the brigade.
“Today, I take off my blue (Infantry) cord which I have worn for over 40 years,” Hible said. “We need change. We need to move forward. … Continue what we started and more importantly evolve into the next thing.”
Hible’s next assignment will be as the Illinois Army National Guard’s Chief of Staff. He will remain a traditional (one weekend a month, two weeks a year) National Guard officer.
Brig. Gen. Michael Eastridge, the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General of the Illinois Army National Guard, presented Hible with the Legion of Merit for his exceptional achievements while serving as the commander of the 33rd IBCT. Eastridge served as the 33rd IBCT’s commander before relinquishing command of the brigade to Hible in January 2023.
With more than 3,500 Soldiers, the 33rd IBCT is the largest brigade in the Illinois Army National Guard and has units with lineage dating as far back as the Black Hawk War in 1832.
Both Hible and Kowalski have extensive overseas and domestic response experience. Both were deployed to Afghanistan with the 33rd IBCT from 2008-2009. Hible was the Illinois National Guard’s Director of Domestic Operations during the COVID-19 and civil disturbance operations from 2020 to 2021. Kowalski was commander of Task Force Able during civil disturbance operations in 2020.
Both officers also have extensive military awards and decorations. Hible holds the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantryman Badge, among many others. Kowalski holds three Meritorious Service Medals, five Army Commendation Medals, three Army Achievement Medals, the Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and Air Assault Badge, among many others.
Hible graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 2019 earning a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. He also holds a bachelor’s degree in Theatre from Illinois State University, and a master’s degree in Educational Leadership from Concordia University Chicago.
Kowalski graduated this month from the U.S. Army War College earning a master’s degree in Strategic Studies. He also holds a master’s degree in Applied Data Science from the University of Chicago, a master’s degree in Business Administration from Clemson University, and a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Eastern Illinois University.
Hible has been married to Laura for 32 years and they have three sons, Michael, Sean, and Adrian. Kowalski is married India and they have two sons, Micah and Noah.
The Change of Command Ceremony is a time-honored military tradition that symbolizes the transfer of authority and responsibility from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander. This transition ensures the continuity and effectiveness of the unit's mission, operations, and commitment to service.
| Date Taken: | 08.17.2025 |
| Date Posted: | 08.21.2025 11:43 |
| Story ID: | 545818 |
| Location: | URBANA, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | ELMHURST, ILLINOIS, US |
| Hometown: | WINFIELD, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 207 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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