Page 6 Thursday, September 1, 2011REVEILLE (CS)

By SGT. LaTASHA WILLIAMSCamp Shelby Public Affairs

First Army Division EastCommanding General Maj.Gen. Kevin R. Wendel hosted aChange of Command ceremo-ny here at Camp Shelby JointForces Training.

Col. Thomas S. Hollis relin-quished command responsibili-ty to Col. Christopher S.Forbes on Aug. 4.

While thanking Hollis for hisdedicated service over the pasttwo years, Wendel said thatHollis’ persistent effortsimproved our ability to certifytrainers for the NATO trainingmission.

“Hollis was committed to themission, always proactive,trained to standard and capital-ized on every opportunity tomake every unit we workedwith better,” said Wendel.

In the last two years, the

brigade has contributed to thereadiness of more than 80 unitsand almost 14,000 personneltrained for combat operation inIraq, Afghanistan, Kosovo andthe Horn of Africa.

Hollis compared himself toGeorge Bailey in his favoritemovie “It’s A Wonderful Life”.The character discovers one ofthe simplest most rewardingacts we can do is in service toothers. He said that being a sol-dier allows him to contributesomething bigger than himself.

“I keep pinching myselfwondering if it’s real,” saidHollis, “I am living proof thatdreams do come true.”

Hollis’ next duty assignmentwill be the chief of the MissionCommand Center ofExcellence at Ft. Leavenworth,Kan.

Forbes, the incoming com-mander of the 158th InfantryBrigade, is a native of

Greenville, SC. He recentlyserved on the InternationalSecurity Assistance ForcesJoint Command Staff in Kabulas the Corps chief of futureoperations and the assistantChief of Staff while inAfghanistan.

“My family and I are hon-ored, humbled and excited tobe part of the 158th InfantryBrigade, the Camp Shelbyteam, and part of 1st Army,”said Forbes.

Speaking to the soldiers ofthe 158th, Forbes said, “Whilenot on the front lines today, ourmission is vitally important.The training you provide themen and women going intocombat is crucial to their suc-cess.”

The 158th Infantry Brigadetrains, coaches and mentorsSoldiers, Airmen and Sailors insupport of our nation’s over-seas contingency operations.

By DANA ELISE SMITHCamp Shelby Public Affairs

Sgt. 1st Class John MalcolmCockrell is from Gulfport and worksin the Directorate of Public Works atCamp Shelby Joint Forces TrainingCenter.

In July, he celebrated his promotionto his current rank after serving twoyears as a construction inspector andheavy equipment operator for DPW.

He is now taking on his newassignment in DPW as an electricianwhere he will be responsible for the

maintaining all electrical utilities ofthe buildings and facilities atCSJFTC.

“I ensure that soldiers have a placeto live and train. I make sure every-thing works. If there is a problemanywhere on post, I fix it,” saidCockrell.

He has served a total of 19 years inMSARNG. He feels that the

National Guard chose him.“I don't really know if I chose it, it

may have been more of a mutualunderstanding,” he said.

Cockrell is also a member of theHeadquarters Support Company,890th Engineer Battalion headquar-tered in Gulfport where he serves asan operations sergeant.

He has earned many Military

Occupational Specialties in construc-tion which include InteriorElectrician, Carpentry MasonrySpecialist and Heavy EquipmentOperator.

Cockrell’s civilian occupationshave been mostly construction.

“I have worked every kind of con-struction from the basic undergroundutilities to building sub-divisions, tohouse construction up to the point ofthe turn key purchase,” he said.

In his spare time, he enjoys fishingand spending time with his son,Christopher, 17. Sgt. 1st Class John Cockrell

Cockrell accepts new assignment as electrician

158th welcomes new commander

Staff Sgt. Lymari Sanchez/158th Infantry Brigade Public AffairsPASSING THE COLORS... Maj. Gen. Kevin R. Wendel passes the Colors to Col.Christopher S. Forbes during the Change of Command ceremony. This signifies the passingof his trust and also responsibility for command of the unit and its soldiers in the 158thInfantry Brigade.