Editor’s Note: For more photos of the event, go to the official Flickr album at https://www.flickr.com/photos/fortknoxky/albums/72177720318088346/.
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FORT KNOX, Ky. — Nature at Tobacco Leaf Lake woke June 18 to the sounds of 19th Engineer Battalion Soldiers saluting Lt. Col. Derek Benz as he took the reins of the unit from Lt. Col. Todd Bradford.
The Soldiers, representatives from each of the six companies under 19th Engineer authority, stood on bridging panels connected in the shape of a T on the water’s edge. The ceremony marked the second time the unit performed a change of command on the lake.
“It’s crazy to me how 718 days can go by so fast,” said Bradford. “First off, let me say how blessed I am that God put me in the right place to command this amazing battalion, and it started on this very spot.”
As host to the event, Col. Sean Shields, commander of 20th Engineer Brigade, bragged on Bradford’s many accomplishments and wished him well for his next assignment as professor of Military Science at the University of Houston.
“Todd created a winning culture of [Soldiers] and leaders that demonstrated their expertise and their credibility and teamwork, and they solved hard problems for the 18th Airborne Corps,” said Shields. “Whether it was missions you were given, such as the immediate or contingency response force, homeland defense or even the most recent mission of assumption of 19th at Task Force 1, you guys achieved the highest results while also accomplishing the most important task – developing your leaders along the way.”
Shields said 19th Engineers’ retention statistics are the highest in the brigade.
Bradford praised many in the Fort Knox Garrison leadership for their efforts in providing opportunities for the engineers to accomplish tasks around Fort Knox that also honed junior Soldiers’ skills. He also encouraged the junior officers in 19th.
“Leading America’s sons and daughters as Seahorse 6 has been the privilege of my career,” said Bradford. “For those aspiring company grade officers, do your best. Be the best you. Build trust, be present, and want this job. It is the best, most rewarding in the military.”
Shields welcomed Benz to the unit and, remembering his career from a decade before, said Benz’s “reputation as an incredible teammate precedes you, which means you’ll fit right into the Castle Brigade —
“Welcome back to the United States. I hear you come from that hardest of assignments in probably the worst place that you can possibly be stationed in the United States Army – Milan, Italy.”
Benz thanked Bradford for his service to the engineers of 19th.
“To the military professionals with whom I have served, not least of whom is Lt. Col. Todd Bradford, I acknowledge publicly that I am standing here due to your personal and professional example, your patience, and your generosity. I shudder to think where I would now be if I tried to get here on my own.
“Standing here with these Soldiers is an immeasurable honor.”
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