JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-FORT SAM HOUSTON, Texas (July 1, 2022) -- Members of the 919th Contracting Battalion and Mission and Installation Contracting Command-Fort Bliss welcomed their new commander during a change of command ceremony recently at Fort Bliss, Texas.
Lt. Col. Greg Howard assumed command of the battalion from Lt. Col. Eric Brooks in a ceremony officiated by Col. Jesse Griffith, the 418th Contracting Support Brigade from Fort Hood, Texas.
Griffith opened his remarks by thanking Brooks for his leadership, focus, flexibility and support to the Soldiers, civilians, and families of the 919th CBN and MICC-Fort Bliss and his family for their support and sacrifice.
“You have done an exceptional job providing guidance to the team and left a legacy of mission partner integration and outstanding support to Fort Bliss,” Griffith said. “Andrea, Annika, and David: thank you for your support and sacrifice. Without you taking care of everything at home, your husband and father, would not be as successful of a commander as he has been.”
Griffith next welcomed Howard and his family back home to the command
“I know that his previous assignments have undoubtedly prepared him and Annette for the journey of command and that he is the right person, at the right time to lead the 919th CBN and MICC-Fort Bliss into the future,” Griffith said. “Our paths have crossed briefly in the past, and I look forward to working with you and the team as all of you continue to deliver contracting effects to the point of need.”
Howard comes to the 919th CBN from the 413th CSB where he has served as the brigade executive officer.
“I am truly excited for the opportunity to command the very same unit and organization that I came into the acquisition career field, as well as the installation that I have spent over 10 years at with multiple units,” Howard said. “I truly consider Fort Bliss and the city of El Paso home. This is truly an honor for me. I am looking forward to carrying the torch of leadership of the 919th CBN and MICC-Fort Bliss. I’m looking forward to maintaining and building relationships with all of the units and organizations that we support.”
During the ceremony, Howard also thanked those who had provided him guidance and leadership throughout his career.
“This journey throughout my career could have never been so well accomplished without the guidance and leadership of all my past and present commanders and mentors, and for that I am thankful,” Howard said. “Also, I’d like to thank the Soldiers and civilians who have allowed me to provide them sound leadership throughout my career as well.”
Howard enlisted in the Army in September 1988 as a subsistence supply specialist. He graduated from the Army Officer Candidate School at the Iowa Military Academy in August 2000, where he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Quartermaster Corps. Howard assessed into the Acquisition Corps in 2013.
Howard’s acquisition assignments include serving as a 919th CBN chief of contracting support operations, 637th Contingency Contracting Team, and a 919th CBN division chief, warranted contracting officer, and battalion executive officer.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from Graceland University, and a Master of Art in Acquisition and Procurement Management from Webster University. Howard is Defense Acquisition Workforce improvement Act Level III certified in contracting, Level I in program management.
Brooks departed to serve as the mission support division chief with the U.S. Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida.
The tradition of changes of command is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century when organizational flags with colors and symbols unique to each unit were developed. During a change of command conducted in front of the unit, the organizational flag is passed to the individual assuming command to which Soldiers of the unit would dedicate their loyalty and trust.
About the MICC
Headquartered at Joint Base San Antonio-Fort Sam Houston, Texas, the Mission and Installation Contracting Command consists of about 1,300 military and civilian members who are responsible for contracting goods and services in support of Soldiers as well as readying trained contracting units for the operating force and contingency environment when called upon. As part of its mission, MICC contracts are vital in feeding more than 200,000 Soldiers every day, providing many daily base operations support services at installations, facilitate training in the preparation of more than 100,000 conventional force members annually, training more than 500,000 students each year, and maintaining more than 14.4 million acres of land and 170,000 structures.
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