FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. -- The changing out of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade's senior enlisted Soldier is very significant event when you consider this is only the organizations sixth year in existence.
To a cyber unit and a branch still developing its culture, structure, identity and mission, the command sergeant major is a critical position to the success of the unit and its' team members.
Command Sgt. Maj. Sheldon Chandler relinquished his position as the top enlisted member of the team to Command Sgt. Maj. James Krog in a Change of Responsibility ceremony on a grassy field next to the brigade's headquarters, September 8.
In his remarks, Col. Dave Branch, commander of the 780th MI Brigade, said that the command sergeant major was the "Keeper of the Colors" -- the flag toward which the unit Soldiers and Army Civilians rally around -- a phrase that carries multiple meaning, as well as specified and implied duties.
"What it represents to me is a trust in our most senior enlisted member of the team; a reminder and 'charge' to set the environment through word and deed, to carry out the commander's vision and to inform subordinate units and empower subordinate leaders to achieve mission success," said Branch. "It also requires at the brigade level, especially a new evolving brigade such as 780th, to work laterally, and up and out to the larger communities in advancing understanding of the unit, its' mission and the future possibilities that await."
Branch compared the "Keeper of the Colors" expression to the brigade's mission statement, which he also views as very broad and flexible.
"Unlike any other domain, the cyberspace domain in which 780th operates, is a shared domain where Services and Agencies work together with similar capabilities to achieve unified effects," said Branch. "As the brigade mission statement reveals, we must 'gain and maintain freedom of maneuver in cyberspace and deny our adversaries the same.'"
The brigade commander credited his outgoing command sergeant major for working with key personnel from U.S. Cyber Command, the Army Staff, Army Cyber Command, U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command, the Cyber Center of Excellence, Fort Meade Garrison and fellow brigades across the Army, to further develop the Cyber culture, structure, identity, and mission within the Army and the Joint Environment.
"Over the last two years, it has been my absolute honor leading the Soldiers and Civilians of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade," said Chandler. "The efforts of the men and women across the entirety of the Brigade has made a mark on the evolution of cyberspace for our Army and our Nation."
Although the brigade said farewell to it senior enlisted leader and his wife, Christina, an Army Family team that was also retiring after more than 25 years of active service to the Army and the Nation, the unit was welcoming back an Army Family team who was not new to the brigade.
After serving a tour of duty at the Cyber Center of Excellence, Command Sgt. Maj. Krog, and his wife Linda, return to the brigade after a previous assignment as the command sergeant major for the 782nd MI Battalion at Fort Gordon, Georgia; a subordinate command under the 780th MI Brigade.
"His vast experience and knowledge now gained from time in the Cyber Center of Excellence will move the brigade even further in operational success, evolution of culture, and advancement across the spectrum of missions," said Branch.
Branch is extremely confident that Command Sgt. Major Krog will serve well as the newest brigade "Keeper of the Colors", and live up to the brigade's motto "Everywhere and Always…In the Fight!"
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