1st Brigade Combat Team cases colors ahead of deployment at Fort Drum

By Spc. Elijah Campbell, 27th Public Affairs DetachmentNovember 7, 2024

1st BCT Color Casing Ceremony
1 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Dan Kearney, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division commander, left, and Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony Walls, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division senior enlisted advisor, case the brigade colors during the 1st BCT color casing ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Nov. 6, 2024. The traditional casing ceremony was held as the unit prepares to leave for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Elijah Campbell) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st BCT Color Casing Ceremony
2 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Dan Kearney, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division commander, gives his remarks during the 1st BCT color casing ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Nov. 6, 2024. The casing of the colors symbolizes the battalion's movement to a new theater of operation. The colors will be unfurled when the unit assumes responsibility at the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Elijah Campbell) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st BCT Color Casing Ceremony
3 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Col. Dan Kearney, the 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division commander stands in front of the brigade colors during the 1st BCT color casing ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Nov. 6, 2024. The traditional casing ceremony was held as the unit prepares to leave for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Elijah Campbell) VIEW ORIGINAL
1st BCT Color Casing Ceremony
4 / 4 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Lt. Col. Andrew Zikowitz, left, commander of the 3rd Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, and Command Sgt. Maj.Christopher Hartzell, the 3-6 FA senior enlisted advisor, case their guidon during the 1st BCT color casing ceremony on Fort Drum, New York, Nov. 6, 2024. The traditional casing ceremony was held as the unit prepares to leave for the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) area of operations. (U.S. Army photo by Spc. Elijah Campbell) (Photo Credit: Spc. Elijah Campbell) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. (Nov. 6, 2024) – Soldiers of 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (LI), held a color casing ceremony Nov. 6 on Fort Drum to observe the time-honored tradition of storing the guidon before a deployment.

Soldiers stood in formation behind their unit guidons before a crowd of 10th Mountain Division troops. Each guidon represents the heart of an organization and its Soldiers. The color casing ceremony signifies that the unit is preparing for its mission and will soon deploy. Once the unit reaches its destination and takes on its assigned task, the colors will be uncased, symbolizing that the unit is actively engaged in its mission.

Brig. Gen. Joseph Escandon, 10th Mountain Division (LI) and Fort Drum deputy commander – operations, said the color casing ceremony holds special significance for Soldiers.

“The casing of the Warrior Brigade colors is not just a ritual; it represents the sacrifices and dedication of each Soldier in the formation. It serves as a reminder of the mission, their values, and their unwavering commitment,” he said.

Lt. Col. Ross Daly, commander of 1st Battalion, 32nd Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division, explained the meaning of the color casing ceremony in preparation for a deployment.

“The act of casing the colors symbolizes the preparedness of the unit to mark a moment where the unit is no longer going to be at its home station but going forward on a campaign, … as you can see with many of the colors and streamers from prior campaigns,” Daly said.

The casing ceremony marks a pivotal moment for the unit. It symbolizes the transition from a garrison environment, as they roll up the unit guidon and case it in preparation for the deployment.

“Your training, professionalism, and unit esprit de corps have prepared you for the challenges ahead,” Escandon told the Soldiers standing before him. “You embody the very spirit of the 10th Mountain Division and all of the Mountaineers that have gone before you. The rest of the division is proud to serve alongside you, fully knowing that you will accomplish this critical mission to the highest of standards.”

The Warrior Brigade Soldiers trained extensively to prepare for their deployment to U.S. Central Command, including Mountain Peak and Warrior Peak before their culminating event at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Johnson, Louisiana, in which they used innovative techniques to fight a simulated enemy.

Daly said he believes in his troops, and he is excited to see how they perform during their upcoming deployment.

“We prepared for combat by starting at the individual level, working to team, squad and above, culminating at the Joint Readiness Training Center where we were able to fight as a battalion, preparing for the challenges known and unknown. I have faith and full confidence that we’re ready for the challenges ahead,” he said.

Cpl. Nicholes Indrieri, a mortarman assigned to 2nd Battalion, 22nd Infantry Regiment, expressed his excitement for the upcoming mission.

“I’m super prepared to head over and I’m excited to go,” he said.