Missile defense brigade top NCO passes the torch

By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane (100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) Public Affairs)March 5, 2014

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1 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Edward Hildreth, commander, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense), speaks to the two command sergeants major during the Change of Responsibility at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters auditorium on Fort Carson, Colo.,... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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2 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Edward Hildreth, commander, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense), passes the Noncommissioned Officer Sword to incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Alflen during the brigade's Change of Responsibility Feb. 27 at the 4th Infa... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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3 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Alflen, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense), holds the Noncommissioned Officer Sword during the brigade's Change of Responsibility Feb. 27 at the 4th Infantry Division headquarters auditorium at Fort... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Former Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Hamilton speaks to the Soldiers of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) during the Change of Responsibility at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters auditorium on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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5 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Alflen, 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense), speaks to the Soldiers of the brigade during the Change of Responsibility at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters auditorium on Fort Carson, Colo., Feb.... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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6 / 6 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Hamilton greets Lt. Col. David Laydon and other Soldiers in attendance after the 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) Change of Responsibility at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters auditorium on... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. -- The senior non-commissioned officer of the 100th Missile Defense Brigade (Ground-based Midcourse Defense) passed the sword to a new enlisted leader during a Change of Responsibility at the 4th Infantry Division Headquarters auditorium on Fort Carson Feb. 27.

Command Sgt. Maj. Russell Hamilton relinquished the responsibilities of looking after the brigade and its Soldiers to Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Alflen.

Hamilton said saying goodbye to the brigade with whom he has had a close relationship with for the last 10 years is bittersweet. He said that he will miss the Soldiers of the 100th, but will do everything he can to support them from his new assignment as the Colorado National Guard's state command sergeant major.

"It seems to me that our time together has come and gone in a blink of an eye, said Hamilton. "Departing from the brigade is not something that comes easy for me or that I take lightly. That is because of the personal conviction that I feel for this brigade, its mission and its Soldiers, past and present, who have performed this mission."

He will be taking over for Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Berube at state headquarters in Centennial, Colo. The ceremony was scheduled for March 1.

Taking over at the brigade will be Alflen, whose last assignment was at the Regional Training Institute, Fort Carson.

"I can't think of a better person to take over a brigade from," Alflen said about Hamilton during his speech. "You've been a good friend, a good confidant and you taught me to do this job. So thank you for having faith in me and my abilities, and to Col. Hildreth, I won't let you down."

Alflen is a 2005 graduate of the United States Army Sergeant's Major Academy and has completed every level of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. Alflen has also completed numerous military courses in the field of aviation. Alflen is currently completing a bachelor's degree in information technology from Aurora College.

His significant awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Good Conduct Medal (seventh award), the Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, the Combat Action Badge and the Master Aviation Badge.

Alflen and his wife, Nicole, have one son, Staff Sgt. Derek Alflen, who also serves in the Colorado Army National Guard with the 131st Aviation Maintenance Company.

Related Links:

CoR Flickr photo set

USASMDC/ARSTRAT website

100th MDB (GMD) Facebook page

USASMDC/ARSTRAT Facebook page