1st Recruiting Brigade Welcomes New Commander

With commanders from all of the 1st Recruiting Brigade's eight battalions present to witness the passing of the colors, Col. Ricky N. Emerson relinquished command to Col. Sean F. Mullen.

Mullen assumed command of the Fort Meade-based brigade during a ceremony Friday at McGill Training Center.

Maj. Gen. Allen W. Batschelet, commanding general of U.S. Army Recruiting Command, served as guest speaker.

"Today we say goodbye to a great leader and welcome another one," Batschelet said. "It is always important to honor those who have done an outstanding job, and it's equally important to welcome the new commander.

"We say goodbye to Colonel Emerson, who has been doing an outstanding job commanding this brigade, and we are welcoming Colonel Sean Mullen to USAREC."

Mullen, who recently graduated from the U.S. Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., takes command of the brigade that consists of eight recruiting battalions, 50 companies, one European detachment, 149 recruiting centers and 2,200 personnel located in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.

The brigade's mission is to recruit qualified men and women for the Army, Army Reserve, Officer Candidate School, Army Chaplain Corps, Warrant Officer Flight Training and various other military occupational specialties.

"The mission that we have is one of the most crucial -- if not the most crucial -- mission in direct support of our Army in regards to readiness," Batschelet said.

During his tenure, Emerson increased the brigade's recruiting numbers since he took command of the 1st Recruiting Brigade in 2011.

"First Brigade has improved in just about every category measured under his leadership," Batschelet said. "Colonel Emerson has been instrumental in shaping the success of the brigade through his positive leadership, commitment to standards and discipline, emphasis on training management and remarkable team-building skills.

"First Brigade has seen an increase in overall production, which will certainly continue for years to come."

Emerson will return to the military intelligence field as the assistant to the deputy under secretary of Defense (Intelligence)-Warfighter Support.

In his remarks, Emerson thanked his family and unit for their support during his command.

"I'm incredibly proud to stand with you one last time," he said to the brigade. "I want to thank you for your service."

While the 1st Recruiting Brigade loses a strong commander, Batschelet said, it also is welcoming an equally established leader.

"I'm glad to have a leader of his background," Batschelet said of Mullen. "His ability to think and help shape the future of our Army will be a great fit as we continue to reshape and redirect our efforts in, what I believe, will be very challenging years ahead for our Army and our nation."

Commissioned as an infantry officer after graduating in 1990 from the Citadel military college in South Carolina, Mullen has served with various units. They include the 24th Infantry Division, based at Fort Riley, Kan.; 3rd Infantry Division, based at Fort Stewart, Ga.; 188th Separate Infantry Brigade, Fort Stewart; 4th Infantry Division, Fort Carson, Colo.; and the U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.

During his more than 20-year career, Mullen has served in several leadership roles including platoon leader, battalion maintenance officer, company commander, task force executive officer, battalion commander and deputy brigade commander.

In his brief remarks, Mullen congratulated Emerson for a successful tenure with the 1st Recruiting Brigade and expressed his excitement in leading the brigade.

"You have a phenomenal reputation, and I'm proud of joining the organization," Mullen said. "More importantly, I'm very humbled to join such a great team."