FORT CARSON, Colo. – The Soldiers of the 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team “War Horse,” 4th Infantry Division, stood proudly in formation in the shadows of Cheyenne Mountain as they said their last good-byes the brigade command team, June 13, during a change of leadership ceremony, here.
The change of leadership ceremony is a tradition in which the outgoing command team formally transfers authority and responsibility to the incoming command team.
The reviewing officer for the ceremony was Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan, deputy command general-support for the 4th Inf. Div.
Col. Dave J. Zin, native of Clarksburg, West Virginia, relinquished authority of the War Horse Brigade to Col. Scott P. Knight Jr., from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, during the ceremony.
“It is truly an honor and privilege to stand before you today after 24 months of command,” said Zinn. “Fort Carson and the 4th Inf. Div. is a spectacular place to lead Soldiers and raise a Family. It has been a journey.”
During Zinn’s time in command, half of the brigade deployed in support of Operation Freedom Sentinel in Southern Afghanistan were assisted with training, advising and assisting the Afghan National Defense Security Forces. The other half of the brigade deployed to Kosovo to work as liaison monitoring teams to work with the local populace.
“I am only able to stand here today because of the collective efforts of a large group of Soldiers, NCOs, and officers who have helped me along the way,” said Zinn. “It is on their shoulders that I continue to stand. They serve full credit for any of the successes I have had.”
Knight, who came from the Defense PAO/MIA Accounting Agency as the director of expeditionary support, is no stranger to Fort Carson.
“My wife, my daughter and I cannot express how glad we are to serve in the beautiful Fort Carson, Colorado and in the 4th Inf. Div.,” he said. “Coincidently this is the same post and Division which my father served 48-years-ago when then lieutenant Knight deployed to Vietnam.”
Simultaneously, Command Sgt. Maj. Vincent Simonetti, a native of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, relinquished responsibility of the War Horse Brigade to Command Sgt. Maj. Steve R. Chandler Jr., a native of Thomaston, Georgia.
“Vince Simonetti is an exceptional senior NCO who coaches, teaches, trains, and develops NCOs as well as anyone I have seen,” said Zinn during his speech. “Thank you for your friendship, counsel, outstanding teamwork, and support I could not have asked for a better senior NCO.”
As the Zinn and Simonetti Family prepare to depart Fort Carson, Chandler, who comes from the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, and Knight prepare to join the War Horse and Fort Carson Family.
“Col. Scott Knight, and Command Sgt. Maj. Steve Chandler, two Army leaders with phenomenal reputations who take the reigns at a critical time for the Brigade,” said Brig. Gen. Joseph A. Ryan. “Scott and Steve, welcome to the team and the best of luck as you assumed the mantle of leadership.”