Commander of Troops Maj. Gala Kingston of 3-414 Battalion, presents the troops for inspection during the Change of Command Ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord on 12 Sept. 2015. Left to right, facing Kingston, are incoming commander, Lt. Col. Philip Dizon, Col. Thomas Harper, commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (LT) and outgoing commander Lt. Col. Kurtis Sand, as they prepare to inspect the troops. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Melvin L. Larson II, 104th Training Division (LT), Unit Public Affairs Representative
JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — On 12 Sept. 2015, 1st Brigade, 3rd Battalion, 414th Regiment (LDAC) had a Change of Command Ceremony on Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington. Outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Curtis Sand, was succeeded by Lt. Col. Philip Dizon.
Col. Thomas Harper, commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (LT), conducted the ceremony as the Reviewing Officer. Distinguished guests included Col. Douglas Jones, 104th Training Division (LT) Chief of Staff and Lt. Col. Philip Churchill.
Sand completed an exemplary tour of duty for the 3rd Battalion, 414th Regiment (LDAC). During his command, he successfully managed and conducted three annual training missions in support of Cadet Summer Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and the Army Training Centers in Fort Sill, Oklahoma and Fort Benning, Georgia.
These missions supported the training of over 12,000 Soldiers. Harper noted Sand’s many accomplishments while assigned to the 3-414th Regiment (LDAC), 104th Training Division (LT), and stated how “Lt. Col. Sand was always driven to perform at his best and did an outstanding job while in command of the 3rd of the 414th.”
Sand began his military career enlisted as an infantryman in October 1983. After his contracted four years, he went home and enrolled in college, receiving a BA in Business Management and earning his commission as a second lieutenant.
He held many positions, while moving up in the ranks, and deployed twice before his first assignment as a major serving as the assistant G-1 with the 104th Training Division in Vancouver, Washington.
His follow-on assignment, after promotion to lieutenant colonel, was G-1 for the 364th Expeditionary Sustainment Command in Marysville, Washington, before finally taking command of 3rd Battalion, 414th Regiment (LDAC) in April 2013.
Sand shared his appreciation and support from Family, 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (LT) and his managers, noting “I especially want to thank all the Soldiers of the 3rd Battalion 414th Regiment, for their sacrifice and dedication to the Army… we wouldn’t have been a success without your commitment. Young Guns!”
Col. Thomas Harper, commander of 1st Brigade, 104th Training Division (LT), passes the battalion Colors to Lt. Col. Philip Dizon (on the left), incoming commander of 3-414 Battalion. The Change of Command Ceremony represents a commander’s trust to the incoming commander’s ability to lead and support the unit’s missions. Photo by Sgt. 1st Class Melvin L. Larson II, 104th Training Division (LT), Unit Public Affairs Representative
Dizon, with 26 years of service, recalled that his military career started at Fort Lewis and stated “to come back as a battalion commander right now is a special honor for me. It feels good to be back.” During his career he also served as the executive officer of the 104th Division Forward Training Battalion in Fort Hunter Liggett, California.
Harper noted how he will miss Sand, but welcomed Dizon stating how “the 3rd of the 414th is gaining a truly great leader in Lt. Col. Philip Dizon.” This will be Dizon’s third battalion command.
As the new battalion commander, Dizon told his troops, “There are few guarantees a commander can do. I can guarantee this. I’ll be in your battle space. I’ll sweat with you, I’ll bleed with you, I’ll be cold with you and I will lead from the front. Young Guns!”