On Friday, October 1, Col. David E. Funk, commander of the 3-2 Stryker Brigade Combat Team, relinquished his command to Col. Charles R. Webster, Jr.

Funk, who had been in command for close to three years, returned to Joint Base Lewis-McChord with his troops this past August after a 12-month deployment to Iraq. Webster is a recent JBLM transplant who has commanded TF 2-1 of the 172nd Stryker Brigade Combat Team out of Fort Wainwright, including a16-month deployment to Iraq. Following that, Webster was an Instructor at the School of Advance Military Studies in Fort Leavenworth.

The day was also host to a Change of Responsibility ceremony that had Command Sergeant Major Alan Bjerke, who has been with the brigade since 2007, switching out with Command Sergeant Major Samuel G. Murphy. Murphy recently returned from a deployment to Iraq with the 4-2 SBCT, where he was the CSM for 1st Battalion, 38th Infantry Regiment.

"This brigade has thrived under the leadership of Funk and Bjerke, especially during their last deployment," said reviewing officer and guest speaker Major General John D. Johnson, commander of I Corps. "Col. Webster and CSM Murphy have the right combination of skills to lead this team now and we all look forward to working with you."

"I've never served with anyone better than Bjerke. He was my battle buddy and he will always be my friend," said an emotional Funk.

Col. Webster, who will serve as the brigade's 52nd commander, kept his comments brief.

"What you see before you today is America's strength," said Webster. "And I am humbled to be a part of them now."

Col. Funk will remain on JBLM and assume the position of Deputy Chief of Staff for I Corps and CSM Bjerke will be retiring.

"A final thought for these great soldiers is this: success in life is extremely uncommon, which is why the common man will never know it. So the final command is to continue being uncommon," Funk concluded.

Photo by Melissa Renahan