WASHINGTON - -- Leaders from the U.S. Army's cyber and signal communities gathered to celebrate a change in command and the continued achievements of the Army Reserve's only Cyber force Aug. 10 at the Army Research Laboratory located just outside of Washington.
The newly rebranded U.S. Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade held a change of command ceremony between Col. Robert Powell, Jr. and Col. Benjamin Bourgoyne.
Senior U.S. Army and Army Reserve leaders recognized Powell and the Cyber brigade's achievements during the ceremony. Powell led the charge to help the Army Cyber Protection Brigade meet training milestones and move forward in readiness to support cyber missions as a fully capable reserve element.
Attending this particular occasion were Maj. Gen. Peter A. Bosse, commanding general, 335th Signal Command (Theater); Command Sgt. Maj. Edward F. Simpson, senior enlisted adviser for the 335th; Maj. Gen. Stephen Hagar, deputy commander operations, U.S. Cyber Command, National Mission Force; Brig. Gen. Matthew Easley, director Army Artificial Intelligence Task Force, Army Futures Command, and a host of other leaders in the Army cyber and signal channels.
Created from the Army Reserve Information Operations Command in October 2016 as the formerly named Army Reserve Cyber Operations Group, the cyber unit was charged with building its force through readiness and advanced cybersecurity training to perform cyber missions in support of Army Cyber Command. Part of the building up effort became recruiting talented reserve cyber Soldiers and preparing the assigned cyber protections teams to reach initial operating capability..
Powell, who took command in September 2017, led the charge to ensure America's Army Reserve Cyber force is ready for its mission purpose--conducting defensive cyber operations in support of U.S. Army Cyber Command, and the greater Department of Defense when called.
While in command, Powell managed to drive the Cyber Protection Brigade to lead the signal command in medical readiness. His efforts also increased the Cyber Protection Brigade overall mission readiness.
Bosse explained, "We are delivering this capability to the Army right here, from the Army Reserve. The Soldiers assigned here are bringing the best skills from private industry, defense, and academia, making this team some of the most capable Cyber warriors in the force."
When Powell stepped to the podium to say farewell, he mentioned how even though the two years were quick, success came from the talent he had the pleasure of working with.
"I would like to say everybody is here for me, but they are not, they are here for the accomplishments of the Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade," Powell said.
"Restating what I said from the day I took command, the Soldiers serving in the Army Reserve's only cyber brigade are some of the finest Soldiers in the Army."
When Bourgoyne gave remarks as the new commander, he gave thanks for all the support received during the different phases of his career. He gave special thanks to mentors, friends and family and expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to lead a unit with a group of talented Soldiers in the ranks.
"I look forward to continuing the success Col. Powell has established and the high standard he has set for me and this unit," Bourgoyne said.
"I know the Army Reserve Cyber Protection Brigade will achieve remarkable results and continue to deliver on the vision of the future our leadership sees for our command."
Bourgoyne, who lives in Louisiana, works as an information assurance manager for Blue Cross Blue Shield. He previously served as the assistant chief of Staff, G6 for the 75th Innovation Command, in Houston, Texas.
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