Outgoing Special Troops Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Ben W.L. Gong relinquished command to incoming STB Commander Lt. Col. Michael R. Johnson during a ceremony hosted by Combined Arms Center and Fort Leavenworth Commanding General Lt. Gen. Milford H. Beagle Jr. Aug. 29, 2024, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
During his remarks, Beagle stressed to everyone gathered for the ceremony that their time was the most important thing they could give, and he thanked Gong’s spouse, Hye Young Jun, for doing just that.
“Thank you, Hye Young, for your commitment and your dedication to the team, and all that you’ve given to Ben and to your family and to your extended family here at Fort Leavenworth,” he said. “Everything about an STB is truly complicated, but you two have done phenomenal. You have done an extraordinary job with the command that most people don’t even know what it is comprised of or how to get their arms around, but you two have navigated those waters very well.”
Beagle welcomed Johnson’s spouse, Mandy, and thanked her for being a committed military spouse and wished her well on the Johnsons’ continued journey at Fort Leavenworth with a unit for which most people cannot describe scope and function.
“Our Army has a great advantage in terms of how we name formations, and by the name you can understand what a formation does and what a formation is just by the name,” Beagle said. “Our Army simply could not describe those organizations, people and functions that make up everything else that’s leftover … and so they termed them special.
“Special Troops Battalion — that typically makes sense when you think about all those people, assets and functions that reside outside of other formations, so it takes a special person, it takes a special command sergeant major, and it takes a special team to lead and be part of an STB.”
Beagle said the organizations that fall under STB are the “most fits,” even though some might think of them as misfits.
“It takes a special person to command an STB, to sweep all of the ‘fits,’ not necessarily misfits, that you have, and I’m part of that group. I take a PT test when he tells me to, I take a urinalysis when he tells me to, I do all of my training when he tells me to — that is my commander,” the general said of the lesser ranking officer. “My point to all of this is: Ben is special, his family is special, and those that he leads or are in this room today are special as well, everything about you, every single day.”
Beagle said neither the outgoing nor incoming leaders aspired to be STB commanders, but again noted what a special position it is.
“Ben was selected because of his ability to lead, to think creatively, and to operate with very minimal guidance,” Beagle said. “Mike, I would attribute those same compliments to you as well, because that is what it is going to take. … You were selected for this position for a reason.”
Beagle said Gong has made things easier for the Garrison and CAC teams.
“What you and your command sergeants major, both Carey and Sergeant Major (Leonard) McFarlane, have done and contributed over the last 24 months has been profound and far reaching, and I have been truly impressed with what you’ve done with this unique STB here at Fort Leavenworth based on your focus, your drive and how you enhance readiness across a very unique command, and the investment that you made will leave an indelible legacy.”
Gong is staying at Fort Leavenworth to serve as a School of Command Preparation instructor.
Beagle said he received several letters about Johnson before his arrival to post.
“You bring a wealth of experience and knowledge with you to the table, especially as a servant leader, and you are going to need all that servant leader ability to command an STB, and I expect you to use that every single day, and I know that it will undoubtedly make a difference to this command and to our installation.”
Beagle said Johnson is the person who is needed to sustain the STB standards of excellence.
“We look forward to seeing you make an impact on the STB in your own way, and making your own mark, and creating your own indelible legacy here in the STB at Fort Leavenworth.”
The STB was activated May 25, 2005, to fill gaps in previous organization structure to provide a more effective training and support environment for the 1,400 soldiers assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Combined Arms Center, and the 500th Military Police Detachment. Since then the battalion has gained the 67th MP Detachment (Military Working Dog) and the U.S. Student Detachment at the Command and General Staff School as well. Gong said the STB now includes about 3,400 soldiers and Army civilians with varied missions.
“While I could read to you the STB mission, it really comes down to focusing on quality of life for our soldiers, our civilians, our families and our partners, ensuring that they feel valued, honored, protected and ready,” Gong said. “By focusing on these small things, we enabled the team to accomplish their organization mission.”
Gong said he was familiar with the Command and General Staff College before his arrival at Fort Leavenworth two years ago, but he didn’t know very much about the missions of CAC and other STB organizations.
“During my command, I’ve had the opportunity to meet so many extraordinary people and to learn about the enormous role that the Combined Arms Center plays in developing the future Army,” he said. “I am truly humbled to have had the privilege to command this battalion and have served alongside each of you, and I am in awe of everything that the team accomplishes each and every day. The team has been nothing short of inspiring, and it is because of each of you that we have been able to achieve so much.”
Gong thanked many individuals, leaders, staff and family members in his remarks.
“As I pass the torch to Mike, I do so with the utmost confidence in his ability to lead this outstanding battalion,” Gong said. “Mike, you are inheriting a team that is ready, capable and committed to excellence. I know you will take this battalion to even greater heights, and I look forward to hearing about the many successes that are sure to come under your leadership.”
Johnson said his time with the 1st Infantry Division at Fort Riley, Kansas, has made his family true Kansans. He thanked Gong and others who have helped him acclimate and prepare for his current role.
“To the soldiers and civilians of the STB, I want you to know that I am here to support you and serve you,” Johnson said. “Your dedication and hard work are the backbone of our success. CAC and Fort Leavenworth will continue to expect the very best from you, and I’m ready for us to hit the ground running.”
Johnson said moving forward, the battalion will build on the strong foundation laid by Gong.
“We are committed to our support to the Combined Arms Center and the larger force and will continue to deliver trained and ready soldiers capable of driving change across our Army,” Johnson said. “Our mission is critical, and we will continue to prioritize readiness, resilience and the professional development of our community.”
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