‘Team 15’ welcomes senior enlisted leader
The ceremony was hosted by Col. Benjamin Schneller, 15th Signal Brigade commander. Schneller opened by honoring Piper for his vast contributions, which reached far beyond the brigade.
“Our purpose is to ‘forge and project power’ in the cyberspace domain for our Army and our country; more often than not, the man championing this mantra has been Command Sgt. Maj. ‘Tony’ Piper,” said Schneller. “During meetings with the [Cyber Center of Excellence], the five schoolhouses, or external organizations, Command Sgt. Maj. Piper is always the first to highlight the purpose of our Soldiers in enabling cyberspace operations and command and control for the greatest military in the history of the world.”
As the brigade’s senior enlisted leader, Piper was responsible for an average daily student load of more than 5,300 trainees, and hundreds of cadre and staff. He took charge of the brigade in November 2024, shortly after Hurricane Helene came through, leaving parts of the region destroyed and without power. Despite the seemingly impossible challenges that followed, Piper remained steadfast – and an inspiration – through it all.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Piper looked at ‘Team 15’ and focused on the ways we are alike. He saw things like love of country, service before self, integrity, and pride,” Schneller said. “Command Sgt. Maj. Piper took those similarities and used them to motivate a collection of individuals and inspire our formation … making our Army more connected and more lethal than ever before.”
During his remarks, Piper acknowledged that although he was “tested professionally many times,” some of his greatest challenges had nothing to do with the Army. He then opened up about his mental health struggles, personal shortcomings, and journey to sobriety.
“The Army values strength – and it should – but somewhere along the way, many of us begin to believe that strength means never admitting we’re struggling; that leaders always have the answer; that rank somehow makes us immune to pain. I’ve learned otherwise,” Piper said.
Sharing ways sobriety changed him, Piper emphasized key lessons that he wanted every Soldier to know.
“You can be strong and still struggle. You can be successful and still struggle. You can wear stripes on your chest and still struggle. You can be the person everyone else comes to for answers – and still need somebody to answer the phone when you call,” Piper said.
Following a list of personal thank-you’s, Piper welcomed Stadler, his successor, to the helm.
“You are inheriting an incredible organization and exceptional people,” he told Stadler. “Trust them, challenge them, listen to them, hold them accountable, take care of them, and give them the opportunity to show you what they’re capable of.”
Stadler brings more than 22 years of military service to the brigade. His previous assignment was with 551st Signal Battalion where he served as the battalion command sergeant major. Schneller told the seasoned leader that had no doubt the brigade would continue to learn and grow from Stadler’s leadership.
“You know the brigade well, and we are very happy and proud to welcome you back to the family in this new role,” Schneller said. “I look forward to building on the great legacy of this organization together.”
Stadler said he was incredibly humbled to serve as the brigade’s senior enlisted leader and assured everyone it was a responsibility that he takes with “utmost seriousness.”
“Nothing is more critical to our national defense than training, equipping, and preparing our signal, cyber, ordnance, and public affairs Soldiers,” Stadler said. “They are the ones who enable combatant commanders to ruthlessly fight and win our nation’s wars.”
The 15th Signal Brigade was constituted as the 15th Signal Service Battalion at Fort Monmouth, New Jersey, in 1940. It was redesignated and relocated to Fort Gordon, Georgia, in 1986, where it has since remained. The brigade consists of: 369th Signal Battalion; 442nd Signal Battalion; 551st Signal Battalion; 401st Cyber Battalion; and Ordnance Training Detachment-Gordon, 73rd Ordnance Battalion.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
