The 3rd Infantry Division’s 2nd Armor Brigade Combat Team received a new commander Friday morning during a change of command ceremony conducted on Fort Stewart’s Cottrell Field.
Col. Scott A. Jackson took command of the Spartan Brigade from Col. Douglas C. Cardinale, who recently returned from Afghanistan where he led the brigade through a nine-month combat tour.
Reviewing officer, Brig. Gen. John Hort, 3rd ID deputy commanding general-rear, passed along regards from Maj. Gen. Robert and Connie Abrams, who were unable to attend the ceremony. A July 26 news release from the Department of Defense announced that Abrams has been nominated for appointment to the rank of lieutenant general and for assignment as senior military assistant to the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C.
Hort began by telling guests, including Brig. Gen. Christopher Hughes, 3rd ID deputy commanding general-maneuver and Mayor Mary Warnell of Pembroke, the Army has only 45 brigade combat team commanders.
“When I look out across this field of soldiers, I see strength,” said Hort. “I see security for our nation. Let there be no doubt that the Army lives and dies by our BCTs, so the Army only picks the very best to lead a BCT.”
He said Cardinale began his command of the Spartans in 2012 by leading one of the largest live-fire training exercises in Army history for a visiting Chinese delegation. He then led his brigade to Afghanistan, where elements of the brigade were spread over the entire country in support of the Army’s exit strategy.
Cardinale began his own comments by quoting Greek historian Plutarch.
“The Spartans do not ask how many the enemies are but where they are,” said Cardinale. “Today, I’m saddened that I’m no longer in command of this magnificent formation of warriors...(But) a soldier goes where he’s told to go and fights who he’s told to fight... I’m grateful most of all to God, who has made it all possible and watched over us.”

Read more in the July 27 edition of the News.