FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. (July 17, 2014) -- Col. Jennifer G. Buckner passed the reigns of leadership of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade to Col. William J. Hartman during a change of command ceremony Friday near the unit's facility off Chamberlin Avenue.
"We're very fortunate today at the Army as one great leader leaves, we welcome another great leader in Colonel William Hartman," said Lt. Gen. Edward C. Cardon, commander of Army Cyber Command.
Cardon and Maj. Gen. George J. Franz III, commander of Intelligence and Security Command, presided over the ceremony as Hartman took command of the Fort Meade-based cyber unit.
The 780th MI supports combat operations; enables signals intelligence and computer network operations; and supports the DoD, Army and interagency operations worldwide. It is the Army's only computer-network operations brigade.
The unit consists of the Headquarters and Headquarters Company and 781st MI Battalion at Fort Meade, and the 782nd MI Battalion at Fort Gordon, Ga.
"For the last two years, this unit has been led by an incredibly talented officer," Franz said. "Jen Buckner has provided the right kind of technical experience and disciplined leadership, creativity, innovation and selfless dedication."
During Buckner's tenure, the unit "built the best cyber team possible" and "built a force for the ages," Cardon said.
In her brief remarks, Buckner called the 780th "an amazingly talented group of officers, NCOs and civilians." She thanked the service members of the unit for their innovative thinking and creativeness in establishing the 780th's role in the Army.
"I share an enormous sense of pride in this force and their accomplishments," Buckner said.
Buckner is set to become the first commandant of the Cyber School of Excellence at Fort Gordon. She said she is confident that Hartman will continue to successfully lead the organization.
"[Hartman] brings a great reputation, an impeccable background into the command," Franz said.
Hartman comes to the 780th MI after serving as commander of U.S. Special Operations Command's Joint Communications Integration Element since 2010.
During his two decades of service, Hartman has served in a variety of roles including battalion, brigade and company commander; infantry platoon leader; and intelligence officer.
The colonel has served with the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division during Operation Desert Storm; the Southern European Task Force; 165th MI Battalion; 1st Ranger Battalion; and 524th MI Battalion. Hartman was deployed several times in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Iraq and to Afghanistan.
During his brief remarks, Hartman thanked the unit's Soldiers and said he looked forward to commanding the 780th.
"You're the absolute tip of the spear of our nation's cyber-space operations capabilities," he said. "I'm honored and humbled to be here today and have the opportunity to command this extraordinary organization."
Social Sharing