COL Walker passes the Brigade Colors to BG Edwards as part of the change of command ceremony with COL Hansen and CSM Kaim, symbolizing COL Walker relinquishing command. Photos by SFC Johanny Marte
Aurora, Co. — Col. Malcom Walker relinquished command of the 1st Brigade (PD), 104th Training Division (LT) to Col. Jens Hansen during a ceremony at Buckley AFB on May 19th. 1st Brigade consists of five battalions located across the United States and carries the responsibility of providing instructors and support to the Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Ky in partnership with the U.S. Cadet Command.
A farewell dinner conducted the night prior to the change of command ceremony allowed colleagues and guests to toast Col. Walker’s success and wish him a bright future in his next stage of career progression.
His next assignment is as the Senior Service Advisor in the J35 of the United States Army Reserve Element – Office of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Among many wishes of success, Col. Walker was also given a commemorative Timberwolf plaque and Nightfighter tomahawk.
The change of command ceremony was conducted in the Leadership Development Center on Buckley AFB, with the attendance of the Commanders and Sergeants Major of the five Battalions that fall under the 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division. Maj. Gen. Joseph A. Edwards II oversaw the ceremony which was planned and executed by 1st Brigade Soldiers, most notably 1st Sgt. Angela McKown and Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Kaim.
| BG Edwards passes the Brigade Colors to COL Hansen as a symbol of COL Hansen taking command. | Leadership from the 1ST Brigade assembled for the leadership run. |
A dining out, also held at the Leadership Development Center in the evening following the change of command allowed Soldiers and guests of the 1st Brigade to express their confidence in the future success of their new commander. Col. Hansen comes to the brigade with a background as an Infantry officer as well as various command positions in Military Intelligence and the U.S. Special Operations Command. Sgt. Monica Zavalza and 1st Sgt. Angela McKown coordinated the event which was punctuated by several traditional ceremonies as well as some creative games developed to keep the morale and esprit de corps high. Guest speaker for the event was Maj. Gen. Peggy C. Combs from NORTHCOM and Chief of Staff of NORAD.
| COL Hansen takes his seat at the head table during the dining out event next to MG Combs, CSM Kaim and CSM Trotter. | Formation of the leadership of the 5 Battalions in the 1st Brigade during the change of command ceremony. |
The celebratory weekend of ceremonies and tradition culminated with the leadership trail hike conducted the morning after the dining out at the Bluffs Regional Park. Attending the hike were battalion commanders and command sergeants major, led with the brigade colors by Master Sgt. Marcos Rivera-Flores and hosted by brigade Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Kaim.