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The 16th Sustainment Brigade “Knight’s Brigade” held a Change of Responsibility ceremony at the Hall of Champions, Smith Barracks on Nov. 27. Soldiers, families, friends, partners, and host nation partners bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. Amador Aguillen Jr., and welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. Jason P. Towns.
Aguillen served as the Knight’s Brigade senior enlisted advisor from Nov. 10, 2021, to Nov. 27, 2023. During his tenure, the brigade units under his command supported exercises such as Operation Allies Welcome, Atlantic Resolve and Defender Europe 22 and 23. Through his leadership, the brigade traveled approximately seven million miles, executed 10,000 missions throughout the European footprint, conducted the reception, staging, onward movement, and Integration for more than 16,000 personnel and 7,000 pieces of equipment, and fostered interoperability with allies and partners.
Command Sgt. Maj. Jason P. Towns, previously served as Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. for 2-410 Brigade Support Battalion, 177th Armored Brigade, located at Camp Shelby, Mississippi. Towns has also served as Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. for the 3d Special Forces Group Support Battalion.
In keeping with military traditions, the passing of the colors was conducted during the ceremony. The passing of the colors represents not only the unit’s lineage and honor but also the Soldiers’ loyalty and unity.
The custodian of the colors during the ceremony was Sgt. Maj. Tatika Williams, operations Sgt. Maj., 16th SB. Williams passed the colors to Aguillen, signifying her last act of allegiance to the outgoing senior enlisted advisor. Aguillen passed the colors to Col. Alexander, commander, 16th SB, signifying the return of the responsibility that was entrusted upon him. Alexander then passed the colors to Towns, demonstrating his confidence in his ability to handle command responsibility. Towns passed the colors back to Williams, completing the traditional passing of the unit colors to demonstrate his first act as the 16th Sustainment Brigade senior enlisted advisor.
Although Aguillen’s time with the 16th Sustainment Brigade has come to an end, he knows he will never forget his time served and those he served with.
Alexander, the host during the ceremony, spoke a few parting words to Aguillen.
“Everywhere you go, your reputation will precede you,” said Alexander. “The Officers and Soldiers of the organization will strive to emulate you, because no matter where you serve, you make units and people better.”
When talking about his time as Knight’s Brigade senior enlisted advisor and what it meant to him to serve the brigade, Aguillen quoted Matthew Kelly- “The people we surround ourselves with either raise or lower our standards. They either help us to become the best version of ourselves or encourage us to become lesser versions of ourselves.”
“This is what this brigade has done,” said Aguillen. “They challenged me to be the best professional version of myself and I thank you.”
