3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. Public Affairs
MOSUL, Iraq – 3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division Soldiers and guests gathered in front of the 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment operations center, Sept. 28, for the Bulldog Company change of command ceremony.
Cpt. Jeffrey Hendrix relinquished command of B. Co. to Cpt. Shane Aguero, who worked in the 3rd Bde., 1st Cav. Div. operations section.
Among the guests in attendance was Hendrix’s father, retired Army Lt. Col. Thomas Hendrix. Lt. Col. Hendrix, a historian for Multi-National Security Transition Command-Iraq, was able to fly from Baghdad to be with his son.
“This is an opportunity I thought I would never have,” said Lt. Col. Hendrix, “to share this day [with my son].”
Hendrix took command of B. Co. during his deployment to Iraq in 2007. He knew that he would be relinquishing his command during his current tour in Mosul. He was honored to have his father in attendance.
“The Army throws you some twists every now and then. I took command during my last deployment and I knew I’d be changing out during a deployment,” said Hendrix. “So having the chance for my dad to be here, especially in Mosul, to see me give up the guidon is an absolutely incredible experience.”
Hendrix, a native of Carlisle, Penn., credits his success as a Soldier and commander to his father and his brother, who is a company commander with 1st Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division.
“I would like to thank my father, a great father and mentor, and my brother, Cpt. Thomas Hendrix, an infantry company commander with 1st Bn., 8th Cav. Regt.,” said Hendrix. “It is such an honor to be able to serve in the same regiment and division [with him].”
Both 3rd Bn. and 3rd Bde.’s staff officers and senior enlisted Soldiers congratulated Aguero and wished Hendrix well in his next assignment. Lt. Col. Hendrix hugged his son with pride and respect. For him, it was an occasion to reflect on the military service of both of his sons.
“I’m a Cold War era officer; I never heard a shot fired in anger,” said Lt. Col. Hendrix. “For both of my sons to have commanded in combat is very sobering for me, but it is indicative of the kind of service that they and their soldiers are providing this nation.”
For Hendrix, this change of command brought mixed feelings but he felt confident that his replacement would do great things with the company.
“It’s bittersweet. I’d have been happy being a Bulldog for a long time. Two years have gone by pretty fast,” said Hendrix. “[But] I know Cpt. Aguero. He’s an outstanding officer and Bulldog is going to be just fine.”
Aguero, who has been looking forward to taking command, was excited about what the future holds for B. Co. He looks forward to working with the Soldiers and moving forward with the company’s present and future missions.
“The mission set is challenging and the troops are outstanding,” said Aguero. “I have outstanding platoon leaders and platoon sergeants. The first sergeant and the executive officer are awesome. The troops are motivated and happy. Things are good.”
Hendrix will be taking on his next assignment as the assistant operations officer for 1st Bn., 12th Cav. Regt., 3rd “Greywolf” Heavy Bde. Combat Team, 1st Cav. Div. He was grateful to have had the experience to command B. Co.
“It was a phenomenal experience,” said Hendrix. “I had a little of everything, good times and bad. Overall, it was a wonderful experience.”
By Sgt. Christopher Kozloski
