Greywolf Brigade changes command on Cooper Field

By Spc. Sharla Lewis, 3HBCT, 1st Cav. Div. Public AffairsApril 21, 2010

FORT HOOD, Texas-Col. Douglas Crissman (left), the commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and a native of Burke, Va., receives the brigade's colors from Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, the commanding general of the division, during a cha...
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas-Col. Douglas Crissman (left), the commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division and a native of Burke, Va., receives the brigade's colors from Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, the commanding general of the division, during a cha... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
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FORT HOOD, Texas—Col. Douglas Crissman, the new commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, presents a speech to the attendees of the unit’s change of command ceremony on Cooper Field, April 16. Crissman said that he looked forward t...
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – FORT HOOD, Texas—Col. Douglas Crissman, the new commander for 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, presents a speech to the attendees of the unit’s change of command ceremony on Cooper Field, April 16. Crissman said that he looked forward t... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT HOOD, Texas - Troopers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division saw a change of command in a ceremony, April 16, on the division's parade field at Fort Hood.

Many members from the surrounding communities and Fort Hood attended the ceremony to see the transfer of command take place.

Col. Douglas Crissman, the brigade's new commander, accepted the brigade's colors from Maj. Gen. Daniel Allyn, the commanding general of the 1st Cav. Div., signifying the transfer of command.

Crissman had several family members that traveled to Killeen for the ceremony. His wife, Carolyn, received yellow roses, welcoming her to the unit along with their daughter, Haley and son Garrett.

"To the magnificent troopers of the 3rd Brigade Combat Team: It's already been said, but I'll say it again, you look great out there today. Thanks for all you do to make your country proud every day," said Crissman.

Crissman said that though the brigade was seeing a change in command, not much would change because of the unit's outstanding reputation.

Crissman was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the infantry following graduation from the United States Military Academy in 1988.

In 2000, he served with the 1st Infantry Division and on the Joint Staff of the Pentagon before he commanded Task Force 2nd Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division from 2006 to 2008 as a lieutenant colonel.

Before reporting to Fort Hood to take command of the Greywolf Brigade, Crissman served as the officer in charge of operations for the 3rd Infantry Division.

Each of the 3rd BCT battalions also changed command, with the exception of 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry Regiment who is scheduled to change command at a later date. The new commanders rode across the parade field on horseback and took command of their battalions by receiving the colors from their predecessors. The outgoing commanders then rode off the field, leaving the units behind.

The former commander for 6th Squadron, 9th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Guy B. Parmeter relinquished command to Lt. Col. Cameron Cantlon.

The former commander for 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, Lt. Col. Winston P. Brooks relinquished command to Lt. Col. Timothy A. Brumfiel Sr.

The former commander for 2nd Battalion, 82nd Field Artillery Regiment, Lt. Col. Benjamin M. Matthews relinquished command to Lt. Col. Robert A. Wright IV.

The former commander for 215th Brigade Support Battalion, Lt. Col. Loren P. Schriner relinquished command to Lt. Col. James M. Smith.

The former commander of 3rd Brigade Special Troops Battalion, Lt. Col. Quinton Arnold relinquished command to Lt. Col. Jack E. Vantress.

Col. Gary Volesky commanded the Greywolf Brigade through their pre-deployment training in 2008, a yearlong deployment to Mosul, Iraq and re-integration training in 2010.

Through his farewell speech, Volesky highlighted the work that each of his subordinate battalions accomplished while the brigade was deployed. He spoke of the battalions with fervor.

"The pinnacle of my command was seeing these great Americans accomplish our mission in some of the toughest areas of Iraq. The leaders of the brigade expertly partnered with Iraqi Army, police and border guards and because of their efforts, we were able to transfer security primacy to the Iraqi Security Forces in accordance with the security agreement, a feat many thought impossible when we arrived in theater."

Volesky emphasized the value of the brigade's community throughout his tenure and said the success of the unit would not have been possible without them.

Volesky's wife, Leann, received red roses for her support to the unit throughout the past two years. She was accompanied by their son, Alex.

After relinquishing command, Volesky will go to work as the special assistant to the division's commanding general where he will continue to work within the 1st Cavalry Division.