Wednesday, Jan. 16, 2013

11th Engineer Battalion changes command

Lt. Col. Bryan K. Sizemore assumed command of the 11th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, from Lt. Col. Christopher A. Hussin in a change of command ceremony held Jan. 10 on York Field, and presided over by Col. James Raymer, 20th Engineer Brigade commander.

Hussin commanded the battalion during a challenging two years that saw one subordinate company deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.

“All good things come to an end.... This day belongs to the Junglecats,” Hussin said. Hussin also expressed the unit’s dedication to Wynnton Arts Academy in support of the Community Partners in Education Program over the past years. He expressed the privilege to partner with the Academy by allowing the Battalion to be a part of their lives.

“The opportunity to work with Wynnton Arts Academy has enriched the unit’s lives in some small way by improving the lives of your community and children in some small way,” Hussin said. Raymer praised the outgoing commander.

“Lt. Col. Hussin has accomplished numerous tasks to include a unit deploying in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, 15 Augmentee Jungle Cats deployed to Afghanistan, the establishment of monthly maintenance checks during100-mile rollouts on vehicles and equipment, along with electrical and plumbing support to the Department of Public Works on Fort Benning,” Raymer said. “The 11th Engineers are also well-known as Fort Benning’s three-time champion of the Commander’s Cup.”

Raymer welcomed Sizemore to the 20th Engineer Brigade.

“The Sizemore Family are no strangers to Fort Benning,” he said. “Bryan just completed the Commander’s Initiative Program. He has a telescope overlooking the tree line in front of the 11th Engineer Battalion.”

Sizemore thanked Hussin for positioning the unit for success and said, “I think it is an honor to be a part of this battalion. Chris, you and Command Sgt. Maj. (Bruce) Machado have built a battalion of distinguished jungle cat warriors. I feel privileged to take the guidon from you.” Sizemore then let out a loud “Hooah!”

“Not bad for a country boy,” he said. “I wouldn’t be standing here today without the officers, NCOs, and Soldiers that have supported me, mentored be, and have fought side by side with me throughout my career. I hope I can live up to the standards you have set for me.”

Prior to Sizemore’s assignment to the 11th Engineer Battalion, he served as the Chief of the Commander’s Initiative Group at the Maneuver Center of Excellence. He previously served as the Chief of the Iraqi Security Forces Cell in United States Division-North, Tikrit, Iraq, and Deputy Operations Officer for Training, G3, for the 4th Infantry Division at Fort Carson, Colo.

Sizemore is married to Lt. Col. Sandra L. Sizemore, from El Paso, Texas. They have two children, 11 year-old Alexis and 3 year-old Hayden.

“I feel excited and honored to be a part of this historical battalion,” Sizemore said. Currently, the 63rd Engineer Company (Horizontal) is deployed to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.