Col. Patrick Aspland took command of the 165th Infantry Brigade from Col. Thomas Sheehan during a ceremony at the Fort Jackson Officer's Club June 30.
"Through these corridors (of the 165th), it is said, pass the greatest Soldiers," said Maj. Gen. Pete Johnson, Fort Jackson's commander. It is an "absolute truth" that doesn't "come easy."
The 165th's storied history began after being formed Aug. 5, 1917 as part of the 83rd Division. It was demobilized in 1919, but would be reconstituted in 1921. The brigade served in both World Wars and after many decommissions and redesignations the brigade was designated as Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 165th Infantry Brigade and transferred to Training and Doctrine Command at Fort Jackson Jan. 26, 2007.
Johnson praised the troops of the 165th standing in formation represented the brigade's "sacred mission to execute and perform each and every day."
Drill sergeants and other 165th cadre, who Johnson called the "lifeblood that build the readiness of every unit in the Army," are across post everyday 'transforming America's sons and daughters into the world's greatest Soldiers."
Johnson is no stranger to Aspland. He watched him grow at the Pentagon and as a squadron commander in the 25th Infantry Division.
"Pat you are well prepared," Johnson said welcoming Aspland and his Family to Fort Jackson. "You are the luckiest colonel in the United States Army with the privilege of a second command.
"I have no doubt you are going to knock it out of the park."
Aspland came to Fort Jackson after graduating from the U.S. Naval War College. He served as the military assistant to the commander of Resolute Support mission and U.S. Forces-Afghanistan, commanded the 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, and served as the deputy commander of the 2nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team.
Aspland entered service after graduating from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. He holds a Master's Degree from Louisiana State University, and a Master's from the U.S. Naval War College.
After taking command, Aspland briefly thanked the Soldiers and officers he served with and under because you can't be "successful on your own -- it takes a team."
He said it was an "honor being selected to command a brigade. I am humbled to be standing before you today."
The ceremony also bid farewell to Sheehan "who no doubt relished every single day of command for the past two years," Johnson said.
Sheehan thanked Johnson and Fort Jackson for the time he was serving on post in his short remarks. He spoke briefly because during ceremonies some "wax eloquently and talk to long."
Sheehan is heading to Colorado Springs, Colorado and the U.S. Northern Command.
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