Col. Curtis D. Taylor, incoming commander, 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, speaks to Soldiers and Families during the brigade change of command ceremony Dec. 11, 2015, at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center. (Photo by Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo)
By Staff Sgt. Nancy Lugo
1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team Public Affairs Office, 4th Infantry Division
Soldiers and Families welcomed Col. Curtis D. Taylor to the 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, during a change of command ceremony at the William “Bill” Reed Special Events Center Dec. 11, 2015.
In a time-honored tradition that dates back centuries, Taylor assumed command of the brigade from Col. David M. Hodne.
“My name is Curt Taylor and I’m an American Soldier; and today, this Soldier is incredibly humbled to take my turn in command of this renowned brigade,” said Taylor, a native of Harker Heights, Texas.
Taylor was commissioned as an armor officer from the U.S. Military Academy in 1994. He holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Military Arts and Science, Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College. Taylor recently completed the Army Strategic Leadership Studies Program at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
“We have a nonnegotiable contract with the mothers and fathers of America to ensure that no Soldier ever goes into harm’s way unprepared to do his duty,” he said. “This will remain our No. 1 priority and our most solemn duty in the ‘Raider’ Brigade.”
Taylor comes to Fort Carson with 21 years of experience in operational and training assignments including four tours to Iraq and Afghanistan as a strategic planner, battalion operations officer, brigade operations officer and battalion commander. He most recently served as director of strategic assessments for the Army chief of staff transition team in Washington, D.C.
“To the Raider Family, you have accomplished an incredible feat over the past two years transforming an armored brigade into the best-trained and best-equipped Stryker brigade in the Army,” said Taylor. “Your exploits at the National Training Center (Fort Irwin, California) in October are legendary.”
Hodne assumed command of 1st SBCT in December 2013. Under his leadership the brigade transformed from an armored brigade to a Stryker brigade. He successfully deployed the brigade to Piñon Canyon Maneuver Site with the largest road convoy in Colorado since World War II, and later, to the National Training Center.
“I’m honored to hand over the care of these Soldiers to Col. Curt Taylor and his wife, Jennifer,” Hodne said.