US Army's most modern brigade changes command
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Ethan J. Diven, center, the incoming commander of "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, passes the unit colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Jaime Lopez, right, the senior enlisted advisor for the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, after receiving the colors from Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, left, commanding general of the 3rd ID and Fort Stewart, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022.The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, center, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, passes the unit colors of the “Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, to Col. Ethan J. Diven, left, incoming commander, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022.The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.(U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Ashley Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Company guidon bearers, assigned to the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, present their guidons during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Company guidon bearers, assigned to the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, raise their guidons during a change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Col. Terry R. Tillis, outgoing commander of the U.S. Army’s most modern brigade, the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, relinquished command to Col. Ethan J. Diven on June 16 on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms this fall, and the 3rd ID will complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.

“All I’ll say about the Spartan Brigade is you all do everything right, everything,” said Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, Commanding General, 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, during his remarks in the ceremony. “You live the Chief of Staff of the Army’s motto ‘Winning Matters’ because you all win at everything."

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, addresses Soldiers, Families and distinguished guests during the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Ashley Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL

Tillis is a native of Sanford, Florida, and began his military career upon graduation from the University of Central Florida as a U.S. Armor officer.

“Terry is one of our best, he really is,” continued Costanza. “He is humble … he is selfless, he is genuine, and most importantly he is 100% a good person. It’s rare to find all four of those traits in one person.”

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
After nearly two years in command, Col. Terry Tillis, right, the outgoing commander of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, passes the unit colors to Maj. Gen. Charles D. Costanza, commanding general of 3rd ID and Fort Stewart, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL

Tillis first took command of the brigade on Tower Barracks Parade Field, Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, on July 20, 2021, following the transition from the original five-month NATO exercise DEFENDER-Europe 20 mission to the regionally aligned forces mission, Operation Atlantic Resolve, due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This resulted in an unplanned nine-month deployment for the unit.

“We battled COVID; we battled trying to communicate with our Families; we fought to build trust with our Families; and we fought to train while building readiness; and then we completed a regionally aligned force deployment to Europe; we excelled in our [Joint Multinational Readiness Center] rotation; and we partnered with NATO Allies and Ukrainian special forces,” said Tillis as he addressed the formation and guests during ceremony. “Then we returned with 100% of the formation COVID-free, and then we embarked on modernizing our fleet. We tackled: ‘People First’ initiatives, the Army’s [Armored Formation] On-the-Move Network [Pilot], multiple warfighters, and present day we’re leading the way on the Army’s Multi-Purpose Vehicle operational testing and fielding while helping train our partners in the 48th [Infantry Brigade Combat Team] in their [exercise evaluation].”

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
Maj. Gen. Charles Costanza, center right, commanding general of 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart, returns a salute on the modernized Joint Light Tactical Vehicle, the replacement to the legacy Humvee vehicle platform, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL

Tillis has commanded at the company, battalion and now brigade level and has the loving support of his wife, Dana, and four-year-old daughter. His next assignment is Commander of the Operations Group at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, and will be responsible for the scenario planning, training conduct and evaluation of Stryker and Armored Brigade Combat Teams for deployment certification.

“It is who we are Spartans; it’s part of our woven fabric,” continued Tillis. “Spartans stand together, shoulder by shoulder, shield by shield, with it or on it. We’re never alone, there’s always someone there for you.”

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
Soldiers assigned to the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, applaud after remarks made by Maj. Gen. Charles Costanza, commanding general of the 3rd ID and Fort Stewart, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL

Diven, a native of San Diego, California, and graduate of the New Mexico Military Institute and Texas Tech University, is no stranger to the Division and comes to the Brigade with his wife, Sabrina, 16-year-old son and 14-year-old daughter. In 2019, he served as the 3rd ID’s top operations officer and assistant chief of staff.

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
Mrs. Sabrina Diven, spouse of Col. Ethan J. Diven, the incoming commander of the "Spartan Brigade" 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, receives a bouquet of yellow roses at the beginning of the brigade change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 16, 2022. The presentation of roses is a change of command tradition that symbolizes transition and a new beginning for relationship between the command and its Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Ashley Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Terry and Dana … thank you for your class, your sponsorship and your friendship,” said Diven in his initial remarks as the new commander. “The environment and culture your leadership fosters is exactly what our Soldiers and Families deserve.”

Diven has commanded at the company and battalion level with his most recent command of the 1st Squadron, 40th Cavalry Regiment (Airborne), 4th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Anchorage Alaska. Most recently, Diven served two years as the Chief of Land Operations in the Joint Enabling Capabilities Command at Norfolk, Virginia, with deployments in support of the repositioning of U.S. forces out of Somalia during Operation Octave Quartz and the noncombatant evacuation of U.S. personnel and at-risk Afghans out of Afghanistan during Operation Allies Refuge.

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
Col. Ethan J. Diven, incoming commander of the "Spartan Brigade", 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, addresses Soldiers, Families and distinguished guests during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Ashley Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Sparta,” continued Diven. “Spartans are the best teammates and the worst foe with a winning mindset, a culture of development, and simple standards of discipline and accountability. ‘Send Me’; ‘Rock of the Marne’; Spartan 6 entering the net.”

US Army's most modern brigade changes command
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, commander of the "Maintain Battalion," 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, leads the 703rd BSB and salutes the new commander of the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, Col. Ethan J. Diven, during the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony pass and review on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez) (Photo Credit: Cpl. Ashley Mendez) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – The color guard detachment assigned to the "Spartan Brigade," 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, marches during a pass and review as part of 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The Spartan Brigade will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Troop commanders, assigned to the "Mustang Squadron," 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, lead the squadron during a pass and review as part of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The "Spartan Brigade", 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL
US Army's most modern brigade changes command
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Benjamin Maher, commander of the "BattleKings Battalion," 1st Battalion, 9th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, leads his battalion as it marches during a pass and review as part of the 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 16, 2022. The "Spartan Brigade," 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, will complete reception and qualification on all its modernized vehicle platforms in the fall of 2022, and the 3rd ID will be complete its modernization in 2023, fulfilling the Army's modernization priority.(U.S. Army photo by Spc. Summer Keiser, 50th Public Affairs Detachment) (Photo Credit: Spc. Summer Keiser) VIEW ORIGINAL

The Spartan Brigade is the tip of the spear on the Marne Division’s glide path to become the most modern Army division in 2023.