428th Field Artillery Brigade welcomes new commander

By Fort Sill Tribune staffJune 18, 2020

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1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Cornelius "Neil" Morgan, left, receives the unit colors from Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general, to become 428th Field Artillery Brigade commander June 12,
2020, at the Old Post Quadrangle. Morgan was most recently at the Pentagon as the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff lead China Operations Officer, J35. Command Sgt. Maj. Gerry German, center, 428th FA CSM and outgoing commander Col. Jeff Buck, far right, also participated in the exchange. (Photo Credit: Fort Sill Tribune staff)
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2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Before the change of command, Col. Jeff Buck, 428th FA Brigade outgoing commander, was presented a Legion of Merit Medal by Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, FCoE and Fort Sill commanding general. Michelle Buck, right, participated in the ceremony, too.
(Photo Credit: Fort Sill Tribune staff)
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3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Cornelius "Neil" Morgan, 428th FA Brigade commander, said the Army is a team endeavor, and that the strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack. He is the son of a retired command sergeant major. (Photo Credit: Fort Sill Tribune staff ) VIEW ORIGINAL
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4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – 428th FA Brigade battalions and Fort Sill ceremonial units participated in the change of command June 12, 2020, at Fort Sill's Old Post Quadrangle. (Photo Credit: Fort Sill Tribune staff) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT SILL, Oklahoma (June 18, 2020) -- A former battalion commander with the 75th Field Artillery Brigade returned to Fort Sill to lead the 428th Field Artillery Brigade June 12, during a change of command ceremony at Old Post Quadrangle.

Col. Cornelius “Neil” Morgan assumed command from Col. Jeff Buck, who will become the deputy commandant at the Field Artillery School here.

“I’m grateful and proud to be back and part of the Lawton Fort Sill community,” said Morgan, who was most recently the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff l ead China operations officer, J35 at the Pentagon. “This place is phenomenal, and a great place to command.”

Reviewing officer Maj. Gen. Kenneth Kamper, Fires Center of Excellence and Fort Sill commanding general, highlighted Buck’s accomplishments over the past two years, and he welcomed the Morgans.

Kamper said under Buck’s command the 428th FA Brigade was essential in shaping the future of field artillery.

The Soldiers safely fired 139,000 rounds; added more academic and physical rigor to the 27 courses in the curriculum, plus five advanced courses; while training almost 10,000 Soldiers, the general said. Additionally, another 4,500 lieutenants, captains, and warrant officers received qualifications. “Simply phenomenal.”

“Jeff … this brigade continues to answer the nation’s call to prepare our field artillery men and women to fight and win,” Kamper said. “We all know that it takes unwavering leadership.”

Kamper also thanked Michelle Buck for her dedication to the brigade and to the community.

During the ceremony 428th FA “Cornerstone” Brigade Command Sgt. Maj. Gerry German handed the unit colors to Buck, who then gave them to Kamper symbolizing the relinquishment of his duties. The general passed the colors to Morgan signifying his acceptance of the command; and Morgan returned the colors to German for safekeeping.

In his speech, Buck stated, “As I’ve said many times: This is our brigade. It was never my brigade. It was always our brigade. Thank you for letting me be a part of it.”

Buck thanked numerous individuals by name, units, and agencies for their support, but he first thanked his wife, Michelle, and their boys, Trevor and Cody for their never ending support.

His last thank you was for German.

“A command team is a wonderful thing and I couldn’t have wished to have a better teammate,” Buck said. “We came together and there’s never been even a glimmer of daylight between the two of us. You’re everything the Army wants in a noncommissioned officer, and I’m a far better officer for having served with you.”

Buck wished the Morgans well. “It’s going to be a wonderful ride, and you’ll have fun.”

Morgan thanked his wife Troi and his daughter Gabrielle, as well as his brother and father, a retired command sergeant major, who were all in attendance.

He said he assumed command on the backs of Soldiers, noncommissioned officers, peers, and mentors who believed in him, and that he is forever grateful. “I get this opportunity because you have invested in me.

“I truly believe in the law of the jungle: The strength of the pack is the wolf, and the strength of the wolf is the pack,” he said.

In closing, he thanked Col. Buck and Michelle for a first-rate transition, and for their friendship.

The brigade’s formations on the field included Headquarters and Headquarters Battery; 2nd Battalion, 2nd FA; 1st Battalion, 30th FA; and 1st Battalion, 78th FA. The commander of troops was Maj. Jason Hawkins, 428th FA Brigade executive officer. Also participating in the ceremony were the 428th FA Color Guard, 77th Army Band brass quintet, and Army Artillery Half Section.

Before the change of command, Kamper presented Buck with the Legion of Merit Medal. He also presented Michelle Buck with three awards: the Army Meritorious Public Service Award, the Order of the Red Legacy, and the Oklahoma Governor’s Commendation Award all for her community service to the brigade and the Lawton Fort Sill community.