Army Cyber HHC passes leadership torch to new commander, first sergeant

Army Cyber Command wrote another chapter in its rich history Sept. 21 at the US Army Reserve Center, Fort Belvoir, Va., when Headquarters and Headquarters Company underwent a change of command and a change of responsibility.

Maj Barrie J. Ciotti assumed command from Maj. Jim A. Brockington; 1st Sgt. Derrick O. Wilson assumed responsibility from 1st Sgt. Miquel A Quiles Jr.

During a ceremony hosted by Col. John P. Delaney, chief of staff, Army Cyber, the senior command leaders attending were Lt. Gen. Paul M. Nakasone, commanding general, Army Cyber; Ronald W. Pontius, deputy to the commanding general and Command Sgt. Maj. William Bruns.

During the formal part of the ceremony, Quiles presented the company guidon to Brockington, relinquishing responsibility for the company and the welfare of the Soldiers and Families. From there, Brockington, the outgoing commander, passed the guidon to the chief of staff, signifying the return of responsibility and command authority.

Then Delaney passed the guidon to Ciotti, the incoming commander, demonstrating his confidence in the commander's ability to handle the responsibility of command and maintain the unit. Ciotti, in turn, handed the guidon to Wilson, incoming first sergeant, signifying his assumption of responsibility for the welfare of the company and it Soldiers and Families.

"Today we bid farewell and acknowledge the significant of contributions of Maj. Jim Brockington and his wife, Brenda, as they relinquish command," said Delaney. "We welcome Maj. Barrie Ciotti and his wife, Melodee, to the Army Cyber Command team and most importantly, cordially welcome them to their second command."

Also joining Ciotti was his father, Giovanni.

"Today we also bid farewell to 1st Sgt. Quiles and his wife, Amber, as they change responsibility with 1st Sgt. Wilson, as was conducted as part of today's ceremony," said Delaney.

Delaney also recognized the HHC as "quiet professionals, an integral part that allows us mission success."

He described the headquarters company as one of the most challenging commands in the

Army, consisting of the command group, the Army Cyber staff and several operational headquarters.

"Every day these Soldiers and Civilians go in a hundred different directions, but the company commander remains responsible for every member of the command's training, administration, welfare and well-being," said Delaney.

"The work done by this command (Army Cyber) is especially important; over the past 16 months, we have made great strides in closing the gap between training and readiness, property accountability and understanding the importance of establishing relationships," said Brockington. "What a challenge this assignment has been."

Taking his position at the lectern, Ciotti, the incoming commander, thanked those in attendance for their presence and support as the new HHC commander.

Also he thanked the command senior leaders for their confidence in his selection as commander, and his former leaders and mentors for their guidance and direction.

"I would like to thank my family, and for their continued support and unwavering devotion, which has always allowed me to pursue great opportunities such as this [assumption of command.]

"All policies and procedures remain in effect," he said in closing, issuing his first order.

Ciotti enlisted in the Army in 1996, serving four years and then joined the Pennsylvania National Guard in 2000. He entered the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2002 at Edinboro University of Pennsylvania. He graduated in 2005, was commissioned a second lieutenant and returned to active duty.

Ciotti went on to serve in assignments of increased responsibility including platoon leader, executive officer, observer controller trainer and brigade and battalion S-6. His most recent assignment was troop commander and squadron operations officer, 2nd Joint Communications Squadron, Joint Communications Support Element, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

His professional military education includes the U.S. Command and General Staff College and Signal Captains Career Course.

His many awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal.

Ciotti's civilian education includes a Bachelor's of Science Degree in Computer Science from Edinboro University of Pennsylvania and a Master of Science Degree from the Air Force Institute of Technology in Cyber Operations.

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