Retiring Col. Brian Cozine, whose most recent assignment was as the deputy director for Installation Directorate-Sustainment, was recognized May 15 for 33 years of “dedicated, distinguished and impactful service.”
“Each step of the way, Brian left an indelible mark whether as an enlisted Soldier, as a staff officer, commander,” said Jason Condrey, acting G4, Army Materiel Command and director of the Installation Management Command Directorate-Sustainment. “Brian, your leadership, expertise and dedication have consistently shown through,” earning the respect of everyone he served with.
Condrey spoke at Cozine’s retirement ceremony at Bob Jones Auditorium and presented him numerous awards, including the Legion of Merit, Presidential Certificate of Appreciation and Certificate of Recognition from the state of Alabama. Cozine, who officially retires June 30, was also the former Garrison commander.
“By any measure, one of the best things that can be said about someone is that they made a difference, and I’ll tell you my friend, you made a big difference, a very big difference in our Army and the lives of countless Soldiers and families,” Condrey said.
“For my brothers and sisters in arms, my friends, mentors, teachers, I just want to say thank you,” Cozine said. “We’ve shared the highs and lows,” including celebrations, holidays, long field exercises and deployments.
Cozine recognized a long list of mentors, senior leaders, fellow officers, battle buddies and civilian teammates. In particular, he thanked God for guiding his family during his time in the Army. “He’s given me the wisdom, patience and the strength to serve.”
He also recognized his wife of nearly 27 years, Stacey, for her “great service to our Army and its families” and for caring for their own military family, including sons, Matthew and Jackson, through deployments and moves.
“You’ve embodied the value of selfless service,” he said.
“In the transition of becoming a Soldier for Life, a few things may change,” Cozine said. “I may forget that my first day in the Army was in Delta 156 Infantry at Fort Jackson for basic training. I might finally grow my hair out. I might forget how to lace my boots the left-over-right way as I was taught a long time ago. I may even remove the uniforms from my closet and find a new form of camouflage for every day, we’ll see.
“But one thing will never change. I will never forget all of you, my brothers and sisters in arms, our military family. Thank you for the memories, lessons and the lifelong friendships.”
Condrey said that Cozine enlisted in the delayed entry program between his junior and senior years in high school, and a week after high school graduation, he began his Army career at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Cozine’s deployments included Germany, Iraq, Afghanistan, Liberia and Kuwait, Condrey said, and his career covered all levels and echelons of the Army, including assignments as professor of military science at the University of Georgia’s ROTC program to train future leaders and a strategic planner at the U.S. Northern Command supporting homeland defense authorities during the COVID-19 response. As Garrison commander, he served “with passion and a level of enthusiasm that is very critical to success in that kind of job,” Condrey said.
Cozine came to IDS “when this team needed a strong leader,” Condrey said, adding that Cozine is “an incredible example of a team player.”
Condrey wasn’t expecting Cozine to say that his most rewarding assignment was to Liberia as part of a humanitarian mission during the Ebola crisis in that country. But knowing Cozine’s “servant’s heart,” the work was “probably tailor-made for him,” Condrey said.
“Brian’s spent two-thirds of his life in uniform,” Condrey said. “I want to pause for a moment and thank you for devoting your time and talents to the Army.” He also recognized Stacey Cozine for supporting the family while Cozine was on the front lines, sometimes on foreign soil, and also supporting Army families through family readiness groups at the company, battalion and brigade levels and other efforts.
“Stacey was always looking out for Soldiers and families, regardless of where the Army sent them,” Condrey said.
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