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Babich promoted to brigadier general

By Randi Stenson, MCCoE Public AffairsAugust 12, 2024

Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich’s wife Jenn (left) and father, retired Army Col. Jim Babich (right) pin stars on his shoulders during his promotion ceremony Aug. 9, 2024, in the Lewis and Clark Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich’s wife Jenn (left) and father, retired Army Col. Jim Babich (right) pin stars on his shoulders during his promotion ceremony Aug. 9, 2024, in the Lewis and Clark Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (Photo Credit: Jason Bortz, CAC Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr., (right) commanding general, Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, reaffirms the oath of office with newly promoted Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, Aug. 9, 2024, at...
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle, Jr., (right) commanding general, Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, reaffirms the oath of office with newly promoted Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, Aug. 9, 2024, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (Photo Credit: Jason Bortz, CAC Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL
A salute battery from the 500th Military Police Battalion fires rounds in honor of the promotion of Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, Aug. 9, 2024, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – A salute battery from the 500th Military Police Battalion fires rounds in honor of the promotion of Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, Aug. 9, 2024, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (Photo Credit: Dan Neal, Army University Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL
Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, makes remarks following his promotion Aug. 9, 2024, Lewis and Clark Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Brig. Gen. Bryan L. Babich, director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, makes remarks following his promotion Aug. 9, 2024, Lewis and Clark Center, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. (Photo Credit: Jason Bortz, CAC Public Affairs) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kan. — Col. Bryan L. Babich, director, Mission Command Center of Excellence, was promoted to brigadier general during a ceremony Aug. 9, 2024, in the Lewis and Clark Center’s Eisenhower Auditorium.

In his remarks, the presiding officer for the ceremony, Lt. Gen. Milford Beagle, Jr., commanding general, Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth, took the opportunity to address the audience gathered for the event.

“This day is important … It’s important to someone that is important to you. Your personal presence makes a difference and it’s only going to happen once. The fact that you’re here proves that Bryan Babich and his lovely family are important to you,” he said.

He also framed Babich’s promotion around three points: the person, the professional and ‘probability.’ In talking about the person, Beagle noted that Babich’s office features items honoring the “history and DNA of the Babich family, and how deep that runs in terms of service to our nation.”

In speaking about Babich as a professional, Beagle focused on the past four years when Babich served first as commander of the Mission Command Training Program and later as director of the Mission Command Center of Excellence. At MCTP, specifically, then Col. Babich was responsible for coaching and teaching division and corps commanders.

“When it comes to being one of the best warfighters in the Army, you’re looking at him right here on the stage,” said Beagle.

Finally, when explaining “probability,” Beagle said, “The probability of the family and many others sitting at another promotion for Bryan Babich is very high, the probability of attending a ceremony for Bryan Babich to command at the next level is extremely high, and the probability that the Babich name will echo across our Army for years to come is the highest probability of them all.”

Babich’s wife Jenn and his father, retired Army Col. Jim Babich, pinned on his brigadier general rank before MCCoE Sgt. Maj. Robert Flynn presented Babich with his general officer flag, belt and pistol. Upon completion of the pinning and presentations, Beagle reaffirmed the Oath of Office with Babich.

During his remarks, Babich thanked his family and personal staff before making a point to recognize the Vietnam veterans in the audience.  He further acknowledged the mentors and leaders who helped him get to this day. Specifically, he provided an anecdote of the advice his father gave him before he embarked on his first assignment in the Army. That advice? “Take care of your little piece of the Army and have fun!”

This bit of wisdom stuck with Babich, and he chose to turn it into a professional mantra. In describing the “take care” portion, he said, “I’ve seen and personally been the recipient of thousands of examples of caring leadership. There’s a civility in being part of our Army, and it fires me up every day to be lucky enough to be a part of it. To all I have served with in the past that cared for me, I hope I’ve measured up in return.”

Regarding his “little piece of the Army,” he took that as a reminder to remain humble and that no matter what rank or job title held, one is part of something larger – a gift “handed down by generations that came before us and will be around long after we’re gone.”

“Finally, ‘have fun’ doesn’t really require an explanation but I’d offer the leaders I’ve served for and with that truly inspired did so with authentic passion. They loved being in the Army,” he said.

A career field artillery officer, Babich commanded the Mission Command Training Program prior to joining MCCoE as its director in June 2023. He has commanded at battery, battalion and brigade levels; served on the Joint Staff; and held numerous other key leadership positions. His operational and combat deployments include Albania and Kosovo, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Inherent Resolve.

A self-proclaimed Army “brat” who calls Sierra Vista, Ariz., home, Babich holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice from Arizona State University, a master’s degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College, and a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the Army War College.

His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster; the Bronze Star Medal with one oak leaf cluster; the Defense Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters; the Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Combat Action Badge, Ranger Tab, and Air Assault and Master Parachutist badges.

Babich noted that he is “fired up” for this opportunity to continue to serve.

“I’m fired up because I know the next chapter is going to hard, thrilling, filled with good and challenging days, but mostly I know it’s going to be a ride,” he said. “In other words, back to the work of ‘taking care of my little piece of the Army and having fun!’”