FORT CAVAZOS, Texas (Aug. 13, 2024) –The Mission and Installation Contracting Command’s 418th Contracting Support Brigade conducted a change of command ceremony Aug. 8 at Fort Cavazos, Texas.
The ceremony, in honor of the outgoing commander, Col. Jessie Griffith III and the incoming commander, Col. Kizzy Danser, was officiated by the Maj. Gen. Doug Lowrey, commanding general, Army Contracting Command.
Lowrey, who relinquished command of the MICC in June to Col. Freddy Adams to assume command of ACC, the MICC’s higher headquarters, said it was his pleasure to return to Texas to officiate the ceremony.
“It is an honor and a privilege to officiate today’s Change of Command Ceremony for the 418th Contracting Support Brigade –and I say it is an honor because this is where I began my contracting career.” Lowrey previously served as 901st Contracting Battalion commander, one of the brigade’s five battalions at Fort Cavazos and remarked how coming back as the ACC commander to host the ceremony was a full circle moment.
The 418th CSB is responsible for contract support to I Corps, III Corps, the 13th Expeditionary Sustainment Command, National Training Center, and Joint Readiness Training Center through its subordinate battalions and contracting offices at nine installations. Lowrey highlighted several of the organization’s accomplishments under Griffith’s tenure, to include their support of Operation Allies Welcome, Army testing and evaluation modernization and border operations.
“You also provided enduring support to the southwest border, two combined training centers and deployed four of your five battalions, all while executing home station contracting support,” Lowrey said. He also awarded Griffith the Legion of Merit to Griffith just prior to the change of command ceremony for his exemplary performance of duty in support of these strategic operations as the brigade commander over the last three years. “Under your leadership, each unit built lasting connections and integrated with their supported units. These connections enable the effective flow of information and requirements, delivering capability to the point of need.”
Before assuming command of the 418th CSB in Aug. 2021, Griffith previously served as the director of mission operations for ACC at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama. He was also the commander of the MICC’s 925th Contracting Battalion and MICC-Fort Drum contracting office in New York, and led the 708th Contracting Team at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He was commissioned as an Infantry Officer in 1999 following graduation from the University of South Carolina. Griffith joined the Army Acquisition Corps in 2007. As a member of the 902nd CBN at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, he deployed in 2009 to serve as the regional contracting center for Forward Operating Base Fenty. While assigned to Fort Campbell, he deployed in 2012 in support of the Office of the Defense Representative-Pakistan. He also served as the lead operational contract support planner for the joint logistics and engineering division for North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command. His operational assignments include Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Inherent Resolve.
“Thank you for being an instrumental part of the 418th and thank you for moving this organization forward,” Lowrey said, acknowledging that Griffith was selected to take over Danser’s position as the ACC chief of staff. “Your team has done an excellent job. Kizzy has big shoes to fill here at the 418th but we are lucky to keep you as a member of the ACC family, as you and Kizzy high five between the ACC chief of staff position and the 418th Commander. I consider this a win-win for ACC.”
During his remarks, Griffith thanked Lowrey, Adams and other key leaders for their support and confidence to lead the brigade.
“It is impossible to sum up three years of command in a few pages,” Griffith said. He briefly mentioned the 21 deployments to the Central Command and European Command, 24 combined training center rotations and seven operational and special mission that the 418th has supported during his command. “But none of those numbers mean anything without the people behind them.” He went on to thank several dozen people by name for their professionalism and support in the remainder of his heartfelt speech.
Griffith also gave his successor a ringing endorsement. “Kizzy, I could not have picked a better person to pass the colors to,” he said. “You know Fort Cavazos, and you know the tremendous mission of the 418th CSB. I know that you will continue to lead with the heart of a servant leader, as you always have.”
The change of command tradition is rooted in military history dating back to the 18th century when organizational flags with colors and symbols unique to each unit were displayed. 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. After exchanging the unit flag during the indoor ceremony that was attended by over 200 in-person and virtual guests, Danser reflected on the significance of assuming command at Fort Cavazos.
“Today is truly a dream realized,” Danser said. Besides swapping positions with Griffith at ACC, in her own full circle moment—like Lowrey—she previously commanded the 901st Contracting Battalion at Fort Cavazos, affectionately known as the great place. “Almost three years ago, I relinquished my duties as a Battalion Commander here at the great place. Today, I stand before you as the Brigade Commander of the most professional Contracting Brigade in the Army.”
Danser’s career began in 2001 when she was commissioned in the Engineer Branch upon her graduation from Columbus State University in Columbus, Georgia. Her other acquisition assignments include systems acquisition officer for the 403rd Army Field Support Brigade, contract management officer in the 411th Contracting Support Brigade, team leader for the 648th Contingency Contract Team at MICC-Fort Benning, research and development officer for ACC-Aberdeen Proving Ground and MICC G2/3/5/7 deputy chief of staff. Her operational assignments include deployments in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.
“Kizzy, welcome back,” said Lowrey, who has worked closely with Danser at the ACC headquarters since he assumed command in June. He remarked that he has complete trust in Danser as a leader and acquisition expert. “Kizzy, I know you are the right person to move this organization forward. You live by these three words and don’t need the reminder, but you know I’m going to give them to you anyway—win every day.”
Danser thanked Lowrey and Adams for the trust and confidence to lead the exceptional team, who she commended for their professionalism.
“418th CSB Soldiers and civilians, I am honored to lead such an exceptional team of rockstars,” Danser said, noting the unit’s stellar reputation. “The grit and determination that have defined this unit’s past missions are present in the Soldiers and civilians today. I eagerly anticipate being part of your dynamic team.”
To learn more about the Mission and Installation Management Command and its subordinate units, visit https://www.army.mil/micc.
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