Brig. Gen. James Blackburn, commander of Task Force Marne, hands the unit colors of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, to Col. Michael J. Simmering, the incoming commander of the 3rd ABCT, during a change of command ceremony May 29 at McGinnis-Wic...

FORT BENNING, Ga., (June 3, 2015) -- Col. Michael J. Simmering, commander of the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, assumed command of the brigade during a ceremony held May 29 at McGinnis-Wickam Hall.

The brigade change of command was the culminating ceremony of nearly two weeks of continuous ceremonies affecting each of the command teams within the 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team. From May 18-29 at least one change of command ceremony was held each weekday, transitioning control of one of six battalions within the brigade to a new incoming commander.

Brig. Gen. James Blackburn, the Task Force Marne commander and guest speaker at the 3rd ABCT change of command ceremony, described Col. Charles Costanza, the outgoing commander and his wife, Megan, as an illumination round on a battlefield.

"Their light brings calm and inspiration to those troops," Blackburn said.

Blackburn continued his metaphor for Simmering describing his glow as the afterburner of a rocket - ready to take the 3rd ABCT even further as he takes command.

The ceremony concluded with the singing of the Dog-Faced Soldier song and the Army Song.

A reception was held following the ceremony.