FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii--Colonel Michael Forsyth relinquished command of the 196th Infantry Brigade to Col. Scott Mitchell during a change of command ceremony at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, Hawaii, Aug. 12.
Maj. Gen. Richard Burr, U.S. Army Pacific deputy commanding general of operations, hosted the ceremony.
Burr stated that the 196th Inf. Bde. has spent the past 90 years assisting USARPAC playing key roles throughout the Pacific. The "Charger" Brigade trains and validates all USARPAC assigned Army National Guard and U.S. Army Reserve forces. The "Charger" Brigade trains the units in accordance with U.S. Forces Command and USARPAC training guidance to ensure their Soldiers are fully prepared to deploy in support of overseas contingency operations.
Burr recognized Forsyth for his dedicated service to the 196th Inf. Bde. He thanked him for his relentless service and accomplishments.
"It is a credit to Col. Forsyth's leadership and his fostering of a mission command culture that the professionals of this widely dispersed brigade have got on with their assigned mission, achieved excellence and inspired confidence," said Burr.
Forsyth thanked the Soldiers and his leaders for their support and for their assisting him in successfully carrying out the 196th Inf. Bde. mission along with his family for always being there.
"The folks out on the field today are among the best professionals that I have had the privilege to work with," said Forsyth. "Every commander wants to lead an organization that has fully accepted the principle of mission command, which is the ability to use the commander's intent to accomplish the mission. The 196th Inf. Bde. is the model for this type of organization."
Burr stated that he expected great things from Mitchell based on his reputation and career.
"I'm confident that you are ready to assume this critical mission and on behalf of all USARPAC, we extend to you our warmest Aloha and welcome to the 196th Inf. Bde. and the United States Army Pacific Family," said Burr.
As Mitchell took the stage and embraced his new command, he addressed the Soldiers and leaders that will support him for the next few years.
"Charger Brigade, you are a great testament to your lineage, whether it is preparing the [National] Guard and Reserves to deploy, or training our Active Duty forces through the Joint Pacific Multinational Readiness Capability," said Mitchell. "I look forward to meeting the challenge together and 'Ahead of the Rest.'"
Mitchell graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1991 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Armor branch. He has served the Armor branch in various leadership positions at the battalion, brigade and division levels.
Mitchell has completed two combat tours to Afghanistan. He was an executive officer for 2nd Squadron, 14th Cavalry, 25th Infantry Division and then as the commander of the 7th Squadron, 10th Cavalry. He has also completed a tour at the Pentagon as the deputy director of Army protocol.
Mitchell stated that he was ready for a new challenge and to pick up where a great commander left off.
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