FORT CAMPBELL, Ky. (Dec. 11, 2015) -- Soldiers from the 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) held a change of command ceremony Dec. 11 to welcome the unit's new commander.
Col. J.B. Vowell passed the mantle of leadership for the "Rakkasans" of the 3rd BCT to Col. Larry Burris during the ceremony that brought to a close a series of changes of command during the week.
Vowell spoke to the Rakkasans on the highlights during his tenure in one of the Army's most storied brigades about how rewarding it is for a commander to lead the Rakkasans.
"It's been nearly two and a half years with the best call sign in the Army: Rakkasan 6," said Vowell. "It has been equally humbling and exciting to work with the best Soldiers and leaders each and every day."
In addition to the brigade change of command, three battalions changed command and one held a change of responsibility ceremony, transferring authority to a new command sergeant major.
1st Squadron, 33rd Cavalry Regiment changed commanders with Lt. Col. Jason Curl transferring command to Lt. Col. Scott Virgil Dec. 8.
21st Brigade Engineer Battalion changed commanders with Lt. Col. Zachary Miller handing the responsibility of the brigade's composite engineer battalion to Lt. Col. Steven Douglas.
1st Battalion, 187th Infantry Regiment, held both a change of command and transfer of authority ceremony with Lt. Col. Josh Bookout replacing Lt. Col. Marc Cloutier as commander and Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Chaney replacing Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth Killingsworth.
The changes of command this week mark the end to a year of command transitions that began in December with the 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Reg. and in June with the 626th Brigade Support Battalion and will leave the Rakkasans ready for the unit's ramp up to prepare for an upcoming combined training center rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana, and their next rendezvous with destiny.
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