Spartan Brigade Change of Command

By Maj. Jason WelchJuly 8, 2021

Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, present arms during a rehearsal for their brigade change-of-command ceremony July 7, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
1 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, present arms during a rehearsal for their brigade change-of-command ceremony July 7, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, stand in formation as they prepare for their brigade change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The formation consists of approximately one third of the paratroopers in the Spartan Brigade. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
2 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, stand in formation as they prepare for their brigade change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. The formation consists of approximately one third of the paratroopers in the Spartan Brigade. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Soldiers with the 9th Army Band march onto Pershing field at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division’s change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
3 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Soldiers with the 9th Army Band march onto Pershing field at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska, during the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division’s change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Amy Shouse, the wife of Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, receives a bouquet of yellow flowers during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
4 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Amy Shouse, the wife of Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, receives a bouquet of yellow flowers during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Chris Landers, right, outgoing commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, hands the brigade’s colors to Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., middle, commander of US Army Alaska, to symbolize the successful completion of command during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
5 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Chris Landers, right, outgoing commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, hands the brigade’s colors to Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., middle, commander of US Army Alaska, to symbolize the successful completion of command during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, left, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, hands the brigade colors to Command  Sgt. Maj. Alex Kupratty, the command sergeant major of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
6 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, left, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, hands the brigade colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Alex Kupratty, the command sergeant major of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, middle left, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, walks with Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., middle, commander of US Army Alaska, and Col. Chris Landers, middle right, the outgoing commander, as they inspect the paratroopers of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
7 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, middle left, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, walks with Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., middle, commander of US Army Alaska, and Col. Chris Landers, middle right, the outgoing commander, as they inspect the paratroopers of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, salute Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, left, the incoming commander of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, as they conduct a pass-and-review during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
8 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Paratroopers with 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, salute Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, left, the incoming commander of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, as they conduct a pass-and-review during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Tina Landers, the wife of Col. Chris Landers, outgoing commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, receives a bouquet of red flowers during the brigade’s change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
9 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Tina Landers, the wife of Col. Chris Landers, outgoing commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, receives a bouquet of red flowers during the brigade’s change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska. Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., right, commander of US Army Alaska, hands the colors belonging to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, to Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, the new commander of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
10 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Peter B. Andrysiak, Jr., right, commander of US Army Alaska, hands the colors belonging to the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, to Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, the new commander of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, during a change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL
Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, poses for a photograph after a successful change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk)
11 / 11 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse, incoming commander of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, US Army Alaska, poses for a photograph after a successful change-of-command ceremony July 08, 2021, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson Alaska. Shouse assumed command of the 4th IBCT (A), 25th ID, from Col. Chris Landers during the change-of-command ceremony. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Alexander Skripnichuk) (Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska – U.S. Army Col. Michael “Jody” Shouse assumed command of the 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Airborne), 25th Infantry Division, from Col. Chris Landers during a change-of-command ceremony 1 p.m. July 8 at Pershing Field, JBER.

Landers will travel to Fort Benning, GA, to assume command of the 1st Security Force Assistance Brigade. Landers took command of the Spartan Brigade in June 2019, leading the unit to a successful rotation at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, LA, through the COVID-19 pandemic, and during a strategic shift to Arctic focused operations.

“As for the future of the BCT, I’m absolutely confident that you’re in great hands,” said Landers. “The BCT’s march towards Arctic dominance is assured, and the next two years will be as full of accomplishments as the last two.”

Shouse is a 1998 graduate of Florida State University and most recently attended the Dwight D. Eisenhower School for National Security and Resource Strategy, National Defense University in Washington, D.C. He completed multiple combat and operational deployments that include Somalia, Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan.

“I’m incredibly humbled and honored to have the privilege and obligation to serve alongside the paratroopers and families of this organization,” said Shouse. “As a brigade we will continue to maintain forward momentum, train in the most extreme conditions the Arctic offers, and maintain our readiness posture in support of the larger strategic fight.”