Mustang Squadron farewells Lamb, welcomes Perkins

FORT STEWART, Ga. – Lt. Col. Thomas E. Lamb, commander of the "Mustang Squadron," 6th Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, relinquished command on June 27 to Lt. Col. James E. Perkins during the squadron's change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart. The Mustang Squadron is undergoing modernization and will be the most modernized armored cavalry unit in the Army this fall.

“This truly is the best job I have ever had; there’s no comparison," said Lamb during his address to the formation and distinguished guests at the ceremony. “It’s the Troopers, the leaders, the culture, the mission, this place, the entire package. We are all fortunate and honored to be here serving together.”

Lamb is a native of Olympia, Washington, and a graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He has the loving support of his wife, Emilie, and two daughters.

“Tom, it’s very apparent, you love being a cavalryman, and a Soldier,” said Col. Ethan J. Diven, commander of the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, in his remarks during the ceremony as the presiding officer. “You love serving others … you and the formation collectively grew and demonstrated servant leadership; you’ve worked hard behind the scenes, influencing and shaping the environment like a good scout. Not flashy, but you and the Mustangs simply get results. You’ve been the commander that this squadron deserves.”

Lamb’s next assignment is the 3rd ID top operations officer, the Division G3, for operations and training at Fort Stewart.

“To the Lamb family, thank you for your investment, your sacrifice, and your perspectives, your ability to accomplish the mission,” continued Diven. “We are proud of you, proud to serve alongside you. You've done right by the formation and our Soldiers. We wish you all the best, serving as our Division G3, and we know you’ll continue to have a positive impact on our entire formation as we train and remain ready for our nation’s next call.”

Perkins is a U.S. Army Armor officer and commissioned from the Army’s early commissioning program at Marion Military Institute, Alabama, and graduated from Eastern Michigan University at Ypsilanti, Michigan. He comes to the unit with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two children.

“[W]e are receiving an exceptional team … we know you’re the right family to lead this formation,” Diven said in his closing remarks. “Jim, I ask you to lead by example and to be the squadron commander these Troopers and their Families deserve. Hold yourself and formation accountable to one another and to our Families. Continue to enforce standards and discipline through the noncommissioned officer corps. We’re all looking forward to seeing where you’ll take this squadron.”

Perkins and his family come to the brigade after serving as a presidential strike advisor in the National Military Command Center in Washington, D.C.

“To the squadron, your commitment to the team, to supporting the Spartan Brigade, your pride in the Marne Division, your drive for excellence shines through in everything you do,” said Perkins in his initial remarks as the new commander. “I am deeply humbled to have been selected to lead this squadron and am proud to serve next to each and every one of you. I ask only that you take care of each other, focus on training that is tough and not fancy, and be ready to deploy tonight to fight and win on the battlefield.”

Perkins proudly ended his speech saying “‘Rock of the Marne'; 'Send Me'; ‘Mustang 6 signing on the net!’”