Soldiers assigned to the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, march the colors forward during 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran)
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FORT STEWART, Ga. – Lt. Col. Harley P. Jennings, outgoing commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, relinquished command on June 14 to Lt. Col. Joel A Dickey during the 703rd’s a change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart. The Maintain Battalion is at the tip of the spear of U.S. Army modernization, supporting the reception, fielding and maintenance of the Army’s most modern vehicle platforms and equipment.
“Leaders and Soldiers that have been growing with me from the start,” said Jennings during his address to the formation and guests at the ceremony. “I needed everything that you all had to achieve my vision for this organization. The greatest compliment I can give you today is that what you gave was always, always more than enough, and I wouldn’t trade a single one of you for a soul.”
Lt. Col. Harley P. Jennings, outgoing commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, addresses Soldiers and distinguished guests during the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez)
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Lt. Col. Harley Jennings, outgoing commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, prepares to address Soldiers assigned to the 703rd BSB, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, during the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran)
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Col. Terry R. Tillis, left, commander of the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, awards Lt. Col Harley Jennings, right, outgoing commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd BSB, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, the Noble Patron of Armor before the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia June 14, 2022. A Soldier must demonstrate outstanding leadership, technical and tactical competence, and exceptional teamwork while directly or indirectly supporting armor and cavalry units to receive the prestigious award. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez)
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Jennings is a native of Dallas, Texas, and a graduate of Central Michigan University. He has the loving support of his wife, Sarah, and two daughters.
“Harley, you love being a soldier, you love serving others and you are the epitome of a selfless servant,” said Col. Terry R. Tillis, commander of the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, in his remarks during the ceremony as the presiding officer. “You have served as a commander that not only understands how to generate and then sustain readiness. That’s important to generate and then sustain it and that’s very important in an ABCT.”
Jennings and his Family are moving to Stuttgart, Germany, for his next assignment as the Director of Logistics, Special Operations Command Europe.
“To the Jennings, we thank you for your investment, sacrifice, perspective and your ability to accomplish the mission,” continued Tillis. “We’re proud of you, proud to serve alongside you, and we wish you the best. We know soon someday you will be a brigade commander yourself.”
Col. Terry R. Tillis, left, commander of the “Spartan Brigade,” 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, passes the 703rd Brigade Support Battalion colors to Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, center, incoming commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd BSB, 2nd ABCT, 3rd ID, during the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The passing of the colors signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran)
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Dickey is a U.S. Army Logistics Officer, a native of Buffalo, New York, and a graduate of Buffalo State College and comes to the unit with his wife, Elizabeth, and his two sons.
“They’re no strangers to the Division and our brigade,” Tillis said in his closing remarks. “Joel served as a distribution platoon leader, [supply support activities] platoon leader, company [executive officer], [support operations transportation officer and company commander in the 703rd BSB. Joel, we wish you a warm welcome as you return and we’re excited to have you back on the team.”
Dickey and his Family come to the brigade after his assignment serving as the Chief of Operations for Logistics in U.S. Army Europe and Africa in Wiesbaden, Germany.
Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, incoming commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, addresses Soldiers and distinguished visitors during the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Cpl. Ashley Mendez)
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Mrs. Elizabeth Dickey, spouse of Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, incoming commander of the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, receives a bouquet of yellow roses at the beginning of the 703rd BSB’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, June 14, 2022. The presentation of yellow roses is a change of command tradition that symbolizes a transition and new beginning for the unit. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran)
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“To the officers and NCOs standing in this formation, I am honored, humbled and proud to serve as your commander, and I promise to do my best every day to be the outstanding leader you deserve,” said Dickey in his initial remarks as the new commander. “I cannot tell you personally and professionally how thrilled I am to return to the 703rd BSB and take that guidon this morning.”
Lt. Col. Joel A. Dickey, left, and his Family stand next to Lt. Col. Harley P. Jennings, right, and his Family, during the pass and review for the “Maintain Battalion,” 703rd Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division, and salutes the 703rd BSB’s company formations during the unit’s change of command ceremony on Cottrell Field at Fort Stewart, Georgia, June 14, 2022. The change of command ceremony signifies the transfer of command and with it the responsibility for the readiness and welfare of the unit’s Soldiers and Families. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Justin McClarran)
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Dickey ended his speech with his head held high saying, “’Rock of the Marne’; ‘Send Me’; ‘The Heart of Sparta’; ‘Maintain the Line’; ‘Never Quit’; Maintain 6 signing on the net!”
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