A Legacy of Service: Capt. Casey Assumes Command of Atlas Company

JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. — U.S. Army Capt. Aubrey A. Casey assumed command of Atlas Company, 51st Expeditionary Signal Battalion Enhanced, during a change of command ceremony at Cowan Stadium, May 29, 2025. Nearly her entire immediate family, whose combined service spans decades, a rare reunion shaped by careers that have taken them across the globe.

Aubrey A.Casey’s story is deeply rooted in service and family legacy. Born in Jacksonville, North Carolina, and raised in a dual-military household, she spent her early years in Germany before settling in Maryland. A graduate of Salisbury University, she commissioned through the Army Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at the University of Delaware in 2020 with a degree in environmental studies.

Her Army career includes assignments in tactical command, executive communications, and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention operations at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and operations planning with the 22nd Corps Signal Brigade. In 2023, she earned a juris master’s degree in international legal studies from Liberty University.

Aubrey A.Casey leads with a people-first mindset, grounded in cultural awareness and shaped by her upbringing. “I carry the example my parents set, the path my siblings and husband are walking, and the future we want our children to grow up in,” she said.

Among her proudest achievements is completing the Spur Ride at the 1st Cavalry Division, where her team placed first. She encourages service members, especially women, to advocate for themselves and build a strong support network. “You can be in the military and be a mom and be a wife. You just have to find your village,” she said.

U.S. Army Capt. Elijah J. Casey, from 502nd Intelligence and Electronic Warfare Battalion, has served five years in the Army and is slated to assume command of Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment in August. He met Aubrey A. Casey at Fort Cavazos, Texas, and describes witnessing her career as “the ultimate blessing.”

Together, the Caseys represent a modern dual-military couple navigating leadership, family, and personal growth in tandem. Their experiences have taught them the importance of balance and intentional communication in the face of military demands. While each serves in distinct roles, they remain aligned in purpose, uplifting those they lead while building a life rooted in faith, resilience, and shared service.

Their shared commitment to excellence, he says, has strengthened both their personal and professional lives. “We have to be extra communicative because we can’t afford not to be,” Elijah J. Casey said. “Our legacy is how we spend our time and who we spend it with.”

The commitment to service is rooted in a strong family tradition. Aubrey A.Casey’s father, retired Army veteran Sgt. 1st Class Rodney Anderson Sr., served 22 years on active duty and four in the Reserve. Now, a supervisory education specialist at U.S. Army Garrison Humphreys in South Korea, he continues his passion for service through education.

Watching his daughter rise through the ranks has been an emotional experience. “I'm most proud of their continued service,” said Anderson Sr. “It makes me soft. I tear up every time my kids are doing something. For my daughter, even so.”

Although he never planned for all his children to join the military, he sees it as a blessing. “It led them in different ways, which is even better,” he said. He believes Aubrey A. Casey was most influenced by her older brothers, especially now that one mentors her as a fellow officer.

Aubrey A. Casey’s mother, Army veteran Sgt. 1st Class Bridget Anderson, also shaped her daughter’s path. Mrs. Anderson served 12 years in the Army as a legal and human resources specialist before transitioning to a federal career. She left the military in 2012 to be present during her daughter's high school years, a choice she says she doesn’t regret.

“I wanted to be there for her when she needed me the most,” said Mrs. Anderson. Now, a management program analyst with nearly 20 years of federal service and a doctorate degree, she sees reflections of their home life in her daughter’s leadership. “She was always observant. When she leads now, I see little bits of the lessons we lived out loud at home.”

She emphasized values like authenticity, faith and respect. “Be your authentic self, people will remember how you treated them,” she said. “And treat others with the respect you want to receive.”

Mrs. Anderson didn’t expect all three of her children to join the Army, she sees it as a gift to watch them build a legacy. “When I looked at the photos from the ceremony, I couldn’t believe it,” she said. “They’re living out something greater than I imagined.”

Capt. Rodney Anderson Jr. views his family’s journey as a story still unfolding. “We all live in different places, but we share the same mission,” he said. Currently, serving as a battalion S-4 officer at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, Anderson has served 11 years in the Army. Anderson Jr. is awaiting promotion before attending Intermediate Level Education at Fort Leavenworth this summer.

Aubrey A. Casey Commissioned through ROTC at Shaw University and growing up as a military child helped shape each sibling’s leadership style. “I watched Aubrey take on her master’s degree while pregnant, move duty stations, and complete the Captain Career Course all at once. That’s the kind of resilience the Army needs,” said Anderson Jr.

He described her as an officer who leads with empathy, approachability and consistency. “There’s a difference between leaders who gatekeep and those who share their struggles. Aubrey’s the kind who shares. She’s not only effective, she’s relatable.”

Anderson Jr. sees parallels between their family and well-known military families. “I look at stories like the Brunsons and think, ours is just getting started too. Our parents were enlisted. Dad retired. Mom served and continued in federal service. Now we’re continuing the legacy in our own way.”

Although separated by oceans and time zones, the Andersons remain closely connected, offering each other support, mentorship and honest feedback. “She’s going to see her company change over the next 18 months. But she’s not doing it alone. I’ve been through two command positions at Fort Cavazos, and I told her, lean on us. That’s what we’re here for.”

As for the future, Anderson said, “She’s got a head start, and that’s because of family. We may not know exactly how far we’ll go, but we know where we come from. And that story, we’re still writing it.”

U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Christopher Norwood offers yet another angle on the family’s shared commitment. Currently, serving in the Army Reserve as a biomedical equipment technician, he has nearly five years of Reserve service after 14 years on active duty. Since 2020, he has also worked as a civilian biomedical technician for the Department of Defense.

Norwood, who resides in Maryland, flew about 2,300 miles to attend his sister’s ceremony. Despite the distance, they stay connected. “She’s always a phone call away if I need a networking opportunity or perspective from the officer side,” he said. “And I’m always a phone call away if she wants perspective from the enlisted side.”

With a 10-year age difference, Norwood said he never expected both to end up in uniform. “She’s definitely stepped up to the plate and taken on the challenge of being an impactful leader on multiple levels.”

Reflecting on her accomplishments, he said, “At 27, with a master’s degree and two children, she didn’t miss a beat. She’s exceeded expectations, and I’m looking forward to seeing what she does in command.”

The family’s military legacy spans generations and continues to grow. “We’ve reaped the benefits and understand the sacrifices. We’ll definitely influence our children to follow in our footsteps if that’s what they want.”

His message to others: “Reach for your goals, whatever they might be. Stay focused. Look at Aubrey’s example, be the best you can be, ask for help, and don’t give up.”