"I'm honored to be here a... VIEW ORIGINAL
After the invocation, Sullivan, Doyle and Maj. Frank M. Buchheit, commander of troops, inspected each unit in formation.
Concluding the inspection, Sullivan relinquished his command by ceremoniously passing the brigade colors to Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, who in turn passed the colors to Doyle, symbolizing his assumption of command.
"I'm honored to be here and serve with this outstanding organization," Doyle said. "I would also like to thank Maj. Gen. Townsend for this opportunity to serve with the 'Commandos.'"
The ceremony also served as an opportunity for the community to bid farewell to Sullivan and his wife, Brenda, who joined the Commando Brigade in April 2011.
"It is with great sadness I say goodbye to the 'Commandos' and 10th Mountain Division, but also happiness, pride and satisfaction as I know it is the right time to change, and that the brigade will be in the capable hands of Dave Doyle," Sullivan said.
He spoke further of the inspiring leadership, mentorship and humbling experiences he has encountered during his time as brigade commander and how working with such professionals have made coming to work each day easy.
"I remain humbled to walk among the tremendous brigade commanders and command sergeants major in our division," he noted. "Coming to work every day has been easy when you are fortunate to spend as much time as I have with the leaders in the brigade headquarters."
Sullivan also accredits his Family with providing a strong foundation of support.
"My bedrock of support has been my Family," he said. "Brenda, you have been a voice of reason. You have been my strongest advocate but also my strongest critic, ensuring I stay grounded and never too full of myself."
In his closing remarks, Sullivan reassured the Soldiers, Family Members and friends of 2nd BCT that their future is secure.
"The brigade will be in great hands with Col. David S. Doyle now as 'Commando 6.' There is no doubt in my mind you will be a superb commander," he said.
Doyle most recently served as director of operations for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Special Operations Component Command Afghanistan / Special Operations
Joint Task Force in Kabul, Afghanistan.
Sullivan will leave Fort Drum to attend the Naval War College in Rhode Island.
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