Brown takes command of Jefferson City Guard unit

Lt. Col. Eddie Brown, the incoming commander of the Missouri National Guard Special Troops Battalion, Joint Force Headquarters at Ike Skelton Training Site, passes the unit's colors to Sgt. Maj. Bruce Jolliff, the STB sergeant major, during a change of command ceremony.

By Pfc. Elise Higgins
ngmo.pao@us.army.mil

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. - Lt. Col. Eddie Brown, a Jefferson City resident, is the new commanding officer of the Missouri National Guard Special Troops Battalion, Joint Force Headquarters at Ike Skelton Training Site.

With the passing of the Battalion colors from Missouri National Guard adjutant general Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, Brown assumed command of the Battalion, from Lt. Col. Andre' Edison, of St. Louis, during a formal change of command ceremony, held Saturday before distinguished guests, friends, family members and Battalion Soldiers.

Brown takes the reigns of a Battalion's whose mission is to provide administrative and logistical support to units throughout its command.

"The focus of STB, JFHQ, is to support other units," said Edison. "As long as they support them, they are doing their job. I am a better Soldier and leader from working in this environment. We were successful because the Soldiers did not work for me, they worked with me."

After 24 years of service in the Missouri National Guard, Brown is looking forward to opportunities that come with having battalion command.

"I am truly honored to be selected for this position and having battalion command is a milestone for every career-oriented officer," Brown said, "Having a successful battalion command is one of the requirements to be selected for advancement."

Edison has set the standard high and is proud of his accomplishments with the Battalion. He trusts that Brown will sustain and exceed his achievements.

"They are in great hands. The unit has matured and is ready to do more," said Edison, "I came in and did all I could do, now Brown will carry it further."

Brown has been in a leadership position since the beginning of his National Guard career. He received commission through the Army ROTC program at Evangel University in Springfield.

The experience he gained has paved the way for his opportunities to serve as a platoon leader, executive officer, company commander, and other positions in leadership. Brown has served as a staff officer for the majority of his career.

"I am looking forward to working with troops again," Brown said, "Working with troops has been one of the highlights of my career."

Edison encourages Brown to "stick to his guns," he said, "You have to work with people above you, they may rank higher than you, but you have to remember to do what is best for the Soldiers, the unit, and the state of Missouri."

With Browns knowledge and experience, he plans to bring his diverse ideas with him to the unit. He has experience in civilian law enforcement, knowledge from 15 years service as an all source intelligence officer, and he was the deputy logistics officer for the Missouri National Guard's largest deployment since World War II when more than 1,000 Missouri Guardsmen deployed to Kosovo in 2008.

Brown is the Deputy Director of Intelligence and Security full-time for the Missouri National Guard in Jefferson City and will remain in this position while serving as the Battalion commander.

Edison wishes Brown the best and expects him to perform like any great leader and make the necessary changes to build a stronger and better integrated unit within the headquarters, he said.

In attendance at the ceremony in support of Brown were his wife Sheila and her father and mother, Walter and Wanda Martins, of Ozark, and his neighbor Charles and Debbie Lindquist of Jefferson City.