The 3-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment at White Sands Missile Range changed command from outgoing Detachment Commander Capt. Andrew T. Bradshaw to incoming Detachment Commander Maj. Julian D. Rodriguez Aug. 11 outside the Frontier Club.
Detachment personnel, family and friends were present at the ceremony.
“Today we mark a significant transition for the premier air defense detachment in the Army,” said Lt. Col. Nate Minott, 3rd Battalion, 6th Air Defense Artillery, Battalion Commander.
“We recognize the importance of your mission, so much so that we want to make sure that we hand select the individuals that are chosen to lead this organization. The leaders you see before you have obviously proven themselves capable.”
Minott went on to talk about the importance of leaders being able to build a culture that’s focused on values, a culture that’s focused on fitness, and a culture that’s focused on resiliency in its pursuit of excellence in the fundamental aspects of what it takes to be an Army organization.
“Indeed, that is an accomplishment that Capt. Bradshaw and his team have not only met but exceeded,” Minott said.
“Nobody cares how much you know until you know they care. This is something I saw from his various feedback forms that the unit started to undertake. This is where they would pull information from Soldiers and talk about things that they wanted to see change in the organization,” Minott said.
He said the Domestic Violence First Responders Course was born out of this idea and leaders were trained on how to respond and deal with issues. “This is an initiative that I’ve seen pay dividends for this formation.”
Minott went on to say that less than a year ago the unit was not in this situation. “They would call me on a regular basis about significant issues and problems. But here we are, less than a year later and Capt. Bradshaw has honestly turned this unit into something that is a diamond in the rough.”
He said that something Bradshaw and his team practiced daily interactions with Soldiers; talking with them, understanding them and being aware of what was going on in their lives while focusing on making the organization better.
“The successes that I listed are the efforts and the accomplishments of the team that you see here before you.”
Minott then welcomed Rodriguez. “I leave you with one more charge - people first. Remember it is the people in this unit that make it great.”
Bradshaw followed Minott and said he was extremely humbled to have been given the opportunity to lead the test detachment over the past seven months.
“These past seven months have been both challenging and rewarding, but I couldn’t have asked for a more capable and better fit group of Soldiers to lead,” he said. “This detachment is by far the most disciplined and talented group of Soldiers, non-commissioned officers, warrant officers and officers that I’ve worked with across my career. They are the true VIPs in this ceremony.”
Rodriguez followed and said it was really an honor to command the 3-6 Air and Missile Defense Test Detachment.
“I look forward to working with each of you. This is truly a humbling experience and I look forward to continuing the successes.”
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