DVIDS – News – US Army’s most fashionable brigade modifications command

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Col. Terry R. Tillis, outgoing commander of the U.S. Army’s most fashionable brigade, the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Fight Group, third Infantry Division, relinquished command to Col. Ethan J. Diven on June 16 on Cottrell Subject at Fort Stewart. The Spartan Brigade will full reception and qualification on all its modernized car platforms this fall, and the third ID will probably be full its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army’s modernization precedence.

“All I’ll say in regards to the Spartan Brigade is you all do every thing proper, every thing,” mentioned Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, Commanding Common, third Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, throughout his remarks within the ceremony. “You reside the Chief of Employees of the Army’s motto ‘Profitable Issues’ since you all win at every thing.”

Tillis is a local of Sanford, Florida, and started his navy profession upon commencement from the College of Central Florida as a U.S. Armor officer.

“Terry is one among our greatest, he actually is,” continued Costanza. “He’s humble … he’s selfless, he’s real, and most significantly he’s 100% a superb individual. It’s uncommon to seek out all 4 of these traits in a single individual.”

Tillis first took command of the brigade on Tower Barracks Parade Subject, Grafenwoehr Coaching Space, Germany, on July 20, 2021, following the transition from the unique five-month NATO train DEFENDER-Europe 20 mission to the regionally aligned forces mission, Operation Atlantic Resolve, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in an unplanned nine-month deployment for the unit.

“We battled COVID; we battled attempting to speak with our Households; we fought to construct belief with our Households; and we fought to coach whereas constructing readiness; after which we accomplished a regionally aligned pressure deployment to Europe; we excelled in our [Joint Multinational Readiness Center] rotation; and we partnered with NATO Allies and Ukrainian particular forces,” mentioned Tillis as he addressed the formation and visitors throughout ceremony. “Then we returned with 100% of the formation COVID-free, after which we launched into modernizing our fleet. We tackled: ‘Folks First’ initiatives, the Army’s [Armored Formation] On-the-Transfer Community [Pilot], a number of warfighters, and current day we’re main the way in which on the Army’s Multi-Objective Automobile operational testing and fielding whereas serving to prepare our companions within the forty eighth [Infantry Brigade Combat Team] of their [exercise evaluation].”

Tillis has commanded on the firm, battalion and now brigade degree and has the loving help of his spouse, Dana, and four-year-old daughter. His subsequent task is Commander of the Operations Group on the Nationwide Coaching Middle at Fort Irwin, California, and will probably be liable for the state of affairs planning, coaching conduct and analysis of Stryker and Armored Brigade Fight Groups for deployment certification.

“It’s who we’re Spartans; it’s a part of our woven material,” continued Tillis. “Spartans stand collectively, shoulder by shoulder, protect by protect, with it or on it. We’re by no means alone, there’s at all times somebody there for you.”

Diven, a local of San Diego, California, and graduate of the New Mexico Army Institute and Texas Tech College, isn’t any stranger to the Division and involves the Brigade together with his spouse, Sabrina, 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter. In 2019, he served because the third ID’s prime operations officer and assistant chief of employees.

“Terry and Dana … thanks on your class, your sponsorship and your friendship,” mentioned Diven in his preliminary remarks as the brand new commander. “The surroundings and tradition your management fosters is precisely what our Troopers and Households deserve.”

Diven has commanded on the firm and battalion degree together with his most up-to-date command of the first Squadron, fortieth Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 4th Infantry Brigade Fight Group, twenty fifth Infantry Division, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage Alaska. Most just lately, Diven served two years because the Chief of Land Operations within the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command at Norfolk, Virginia, with deployments in help of the repositioning of U.S. forces out of Somalia throughout Operation Octave Quartz and the noncombatant evacuation of U.S. personnel and at-risk Afghans out of Afghanistan throughout Operation Allies Refuge.

“Women and gents, that is Sparta,” continued Diven. “Spartans are one of the best teammates and the worst foe with a profitable mindset and a tradition of improvement, easy requirements, self-discipline and accountability. ‘Ship Me’; ‘Rock of Marne’; Spartan 6 getting into the web.”

The Spartan Brigade is the tip of the spear on the Marne Division’s glide path to turn into essentially the most fashionable Army division in 2023.