Sledgehammer Brigade Receives New Command Team

FORT BENNING, Ga. - Col. Charles D. Costanza and Command Sgt. Maj. Michael D. Green assumed command and responsibility, respectively, of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, during a ceremony May 17, at the National Infantry Museum Parade Field near Fort Benning, Ga.

The colors were passed by Col. Johnnie L. Johnson, Jr., the outgoing commander, and the noncommissioned officers sword was passed by the brigade's former command sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Brian D. Harrison.

The reviewing officer, Brig. Gen. John H. Hort, 3rd Infantry Division deputy commanding general (rear), congratulated the outgoing command team on a job well done, highlighting the brigade's recent training cycle at the National Training Center and deployment to Kuwait.

"It is an honor for both Command Sgt. Maj. Green and I to have the opportunity to serve with each and every one of you," said Costanza to the soldiers of the Sledgehammer Brigade. "Thank you for your service and dedication and your sacrifice. Thank you for teaching us how to lead and for teaching us what selfless service is all about."

Nearly 300 soldiers from each of the brigade's six battalions marched on the parade field and participated in the ceremony.

Green, a native of Oakland, Calif., joined the Army April 13, 1992 as an infantryman. He has seen four combat tours in Iraq and two in Afghanistan. Green graduated from the United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy at Fort Bliss, Texas, and was assigned to Fort Bragg, N.C. where he served as the brigade operations sergeant major for 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division.

Costanza graduated the United States Military Academy in 1991 and was assigned to 1st Battalion, 63rd Armor Regiment, Fort Irwin, Calif., as a tank platoon leader.

Costanza then completed the Infantry Officer Advanced Course here at Fort Benning and was assigned to the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment and served as a tank company commander and regimental plans officer before deploying to Bosnia-Herzegovnia.

After completing the Command and General Staff College and School of Advanced Military Science at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., Costanza was assigned to Combined Joint Task Force-7 at Baghdad, Iraq, and served as a plans officer. Upon redeploying from Iraq, he was assigned to 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry regiment, Buedingen, Germany, and served as a squadron operations officer and executive officer.

After another deployment to Iraq, Costanza took command of 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and deployed to Iraq yet again. Costanza then served as the armor branch chief at the Office of Personnel Management Division, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox, Ky., before being assigned to 3ABCT, 3ID, Fort Benning, Ga.