FORT KNOX, Ky. – The 3rd “Patriot” Brigade (Professional Development), 104th Training Division (Leader Training) held their change of command ceremony, July 11 on Brooks Field, Fort Knox, Kentucky. The change of command is a time honored tradition that symbolizes leadership transition of an organization through the passing of the colors from the outgoing to incoming commander.
Col. Richard Farnsworth replaced Col. Andrew Nord in an event hosted by Brig. Gen. Kurt Hardin, commanding general, 104th TD. The ceremony included a Color Guard made up of Patriot Brigade Soldiers and leadership from the brigade’s seven subordinate battalions representing their respective units with Colors.
“Today is a special and bittersweet day in the careers of Col. Andy Nord and Col. Richard Farnsworth. It is bitter for Andy Nord as he gives up command of this great unit,” Hardin said. “Every commander, no matter how long they have been in command, wants to hang on just a little bit longer and are sad to see their tenure come to an end.”
Nord is known for developing and increasing readiness in the brigade during his command. “I can’t recall a time, in all my time with the brigade, where morale was higher than it is now. During my command, we increased the readiness of the unit across the board on the measurable metrics. There is still more room for improvement,” Nord said as he challenged his successor with the task of continuing his legacy of high levels of readiness.
Farnsworth is charged with leading the brigade, which has battalions from Maine to Puerto Rico, in supporting and training the next generations of officers in Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. The brigade is directly responsible for educating and training more than 12,000 second lieutenants for commissioning and leadership roles through the Leader Development and Assessment Course in the ranks of the U.S. Army.
“For Col. Richard Farnsworth, this is a sweet day, for every officer in the Army strives for command opportunities. Brigade command is a great opportunity to work with Soldiers at an operational level. He brings a wealth of experience and capabilities to the brigade,” Hardin said.
Scanning the formation and referring to Farnsworth’s new undertaking, Hardin said, “The brigade remains in capable hands.”