By Sgt. Taylor Tribble, 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade
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Col. Joseph Gardner, commander of the 149th maneuver Enhancement Brigade passes the colors of the 103rd Chemical Battalion to Lt. Col. Jessicah Garrett during a change of command ceremony in Burlington, Ky., Sept. 16, 2018. Garrett assumed command from Lt. Col. Brandye Williams, who and will be moving to a new position as the Military Assistant for Environment to the Deputy Assistant of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health at the Pentagon. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Sgt. Taylor Tribble)
BURLINGTON, Ky. -- The Soldiers of the 103
rd Chemical Battalion said their goodbyes to Lt. Col. Brandye Williams and welcomed Lt. Col. Jessicah Garrett as their battalion commander during a change of command ceremony Sept. 16 at the Kentucky National Guard Readiness Center in Burlington.
The 149
th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade commander, Col. Joseph Gardner oversaw the change of command and transferred the colors from the outgoing commander Williams to the incoming commander Garret in front of the battalion and distinguished guests.
“It is an honor to be here, and I am humbled and excited to take command,” said Garrett in her opening remarks to her battalion.
During the ceremony, Garrett thanked Gardner for the opportunity to command. She shared her past experiences as an officer and how it prepared her to raise the bar during her command.
“I am honored to serve the Soldiers of the 103
rd Chemical Battalion,” said Garrett. "Thank you Lt. Col. Williams for leaving me with such an amazing battalion."
Williams relinquished her command and will be moving to a new position as the Military Assistant for Environment to the Deputy Assistant of the Army for Environment, Safety and Occupational Health at the Pentagon.
“I would like to thank the Kentucky National Guard Leadership for allowing me this once in a lifetime opportunity to command at the battalion level,” said Williams. “Knowing that I am turning the reigns over to a remarkable person makes this transition easier.”
Williams also thanked the 103rd for never saying “we can’t." She reminded the Guardsmen to continue giving one hundred and ten percent to their mission and to remember that what they do isn’t about them but about all Soldiers and the Nation we serve.
“As I close out my farewell with you all, please know that leading the Soldiers of the 103
rd Chemical Battalion is something that I will always treasure,” Williams said.