La. National Guard’s Tiger Brigade welcomes new commander
By Staff Sgt. Noshoba Davis, Louisiana National Guard Public Affairs Office
PINEVILLE, La. – The Louisiana National Guard’s (LANG) 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) welcomed incoming commander Col. Jon Lloyd during an assumption of command ceremony at Lafayette High School in Lafayette, Dec. 3.
“To our Soldiers and leaders that are in the gym today, I just want to take this opportunity to thank you all for what you do each and every day,” said Maj. Gen. Keith Waddell, the adjutant general of the LANG. “Your service is valued and appreciated.”
As the Soldiers, family and friends of Lloyd looked on, Command Sgt. Maj. Stephen Hickman, command sergeant major of the 256th IBCT, passed the unit’s colors to Waddell, who then passed the colors to Lloyd charging him with the responsibility and authority of the 256th IBCT.
After the passing of the colors, Waddell congratulated Lloyd on his new position and expressed his confidence in him.
“Colonel Lloyd, I’m going to start with what a journey the last 30 years have been, and it’s led up to taking over as Tiger 6,” said Waddell. “I have all the confidence in the world that you will take this brigade to the next level.”
As a previous brigade commander, Waddell offered Lloyd the following advice, “Details matter. That’s the difference between doing good and great.”
As Lloyd addressed the formation and guests, he thanked Waddell for the opportunity to command the 256th and for the confidence placed in him.
“Thank you, sir, for the opportunity and confidence in my ability to lead the Tiger Brigade,” said Lloyd.
Lloyd went on to thank the distinguished visitors, family, friends and Soldiers for attending the ceremony.
“I’d like to give a special thank you to my family and friends for your enduring support. Each of you are an indispensable part of my team and a large part of why I can continue serving today,” said Lloyd. “Thank you to my mentors, many of whom are here today, for providing those many years of counsel and leadership that have guided me along the way.”
He also took a moment to say thank you to his wife, Sandy, and kids for all their support throughout his career.
“For your undying support and simply asking “where are we going” when I told you I’d gotten a call,” said Lloyd. “Thank you to my children for always being supportive and even when my deployments, moves and assignments have given you ample reason, you’ve never complained.”
The 256th was most recently mobilized in 2021 in support of Operations Inherent Resolve and Spartan Shield. In addition to multiple deployments to the Middle East, the Tiger Brigade has been activated to support emergency operations to include Hurricanes Ida, Laura, Harvey and Barry, the COVID-19 response, the winter ice storm in 2021, and the multiple major floods that ravaged Louisiana in 2016.