Col. Joseph A. Jackson took control of the Leader Training Brigade from Col. Brian Beckno during the change of command ceremony April 15 at Victory Field.
Jackson’s previous assignment was director/fire support coordinator for U.S. Army Central at Shaw Air Force Base in Sumter, South Carolina. His experience as commander of three prior battalions makes him the right person to succeed Beckno at the Leader Training Brigade, said Maj. Gen. Lonnie G. Hibbard, commanding general for the U.S. Army Center for Initial Military Training, who presided over the ceremony.
“The Soldiers, civilians and leaders in the Leader Training Brigade shape the future by training the leaders who train our Soldiers,” Hibbard said. He stressed that the Leader Training Brigade not only has an impact on Initial Entry Training, but touches all aspects of the Army through its oversight of such programs as the U.S. Army Physical Fitness School, U.S. Army Master Resilience School and the U.S. Army Student Detachment.
Beckno assumed command of the Leader Training Brigade in 2018 and soon found himself executing the LTB mission during a global pandemic.
Hibbard said it was his success in this environment – particularly in keeping the Expert Infantryman Badge trials on track – that will be Beckno’s legacy when he retires later this year after 27 years of service.
“You can’t get more creative than executing virtual validation than the Expert Soldier Badge rankings via (video teleconference), walking the terrain with a hotspot and cell phone – while you guys are at Fort Jackson (and) the brigade is in Kuwait,” Hibbard said. “Your fight for resources and changes for the LTB will last the tenure of your current Soldiers and civilians, but the mark you have made on our Army with the Expert Soldier Badge will last a generation.”
Hibbard welcomed the incoming commander, promising him “an amazing ride” that will be “unlike any other assignment in your career thus far.”
“I have the utmost confidence in you and your leadership, and I look forward to having you on,” Hibbard said.
Jackson said he was “deeply grateful” for the opportunity to command the Leader Training Brigade.
“I consider myself fortunate to be afforded the chance to lead,” he said.
“Col. Beckno, I want to thank you for your diligent efforts in shaping, developing and leading this fantastic organization. Your transparency, the white glove treatment over the past two weeks is in my view, the standard for command transitions.”
Jackson said he intends to build upon the foundation set by Beckno, and move the organization “further and higher” along that path.
“While change is both constant and unavoidable, we will build an integrated team, work harder for excellence to produce the quality training leaders Army demands, and continues to be,” he said.
Jackson’s previous commands include the 2nd Battalion, 8th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade, in Wainwright, Alaska; 4th Battalion, 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia; and 2nd Battalion, 410th Brigade Support Battalion as part of the 177th Armored Brigade. He has four master’s degrees and is literate and conversant in Russian, German and Serbo-Croat.
He was born and raised in Middletown, Ohio.
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