The Vermont Army National Guard hosted a change of command ceremony for the 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain) on Sunday, July 19, 2020 at the Camp Ethan Allen Training Site, Jericho, VT. Col. Nathan Lord, commander, 86th IBCT (MTN), relinquished command to Col. Brey Hopkins.
“On Sunday we said goodbye to Col. Lord who served as commander of the 86th IBCT during a critical time; his leadership brought the 86th IBCT to a higher level of achievement earning the brigade a reputation as one of the best IBCT’s in the Army,” said Brig. Gen. David Manfredi, land component commander, Vermont Army National Guard. “This ceremony is an opportunity to thank him for his leadership and accomplishments, and to welcome Col. Hopkins as the new commander. We look forward to his leadership as he prepares the brigade for its upcoming deployments.”
The 86th IBCT (MTN) is comprised of 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry, 572nd Brigade Engineer Battalion, 1st Squadron 172nd Cavalry, and the 186th Brigade Support Battalion in Vermont. 1st Battalion 102nd Infantry in Connecticut, 1st Battalion 101 Field Artillery in Massachusetts (one battery in Vermont) and 1st Battalion 157 Infantry in Colorado. All of these battalions fall under the command of the 86th IBCT (MTN).
Col. Nathan Lord started his military career in Bravo Company 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) of the Maine Army National Guard in 1988. He was later commissioned a 2nd Lt. of Infantry in 1991 from the University of Maine ROTC program. He initially served as a rifle platoon leader in Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion 172nd Infantry (Mountain) in Jericho Vermont.
Col. Lord is a career mountain infantry officer whose assignments include Company Executive Officer and Company Commander Alpha Company, 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), Operations Officer Army Mountain Warfare School, Executive Officer 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain), Operations Officer 86th Troop Command, Training Officer and Executive Officer 86th IBCT (Mountain) and Operations Officer, Vermont Army National Guard. Col. Lord Commanded the 3rd Battalion, 172nd Infantry (Mountain) from 2006-2009 and the Army Mountain Warfare School from 2009-2011. Col. Lord is a veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom.
His awards and decorations include among others the Bronze Star medal, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters, the Parachutist Badge, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and the Ram's Head Device. Col. Lord is a graduate of all levels of the officer education system as well as both summer and winter phases of Army Mountain Warfare School, the Winter Assault Climber Course, the Sniper Course, Northern Warfare Training Center, and the Norwegian Winter Warfare School.
Col. Lord grew up on the coast of Maine and currently lives in Waterbury Vermont with his wife Sarah, son Samuel and daughter Elizabeth.
COL Brey Hopkins entered active duty in 1989 as a Regular Army Infantry officer following graduation as a Distinguished Military Student from The Citadel, the Military College of South Carolina. Serving in the 82d Airborne Division from 1989 – 2004, COL Hopkins held the positions of Rifle Platoon Leader, Company Executive Officer, Scout Platoon Leader, Deputy Secretary General Staff and completed his assignment as the Aide de Camp to the Commanding General. COL Hopkins deployed to Saudi Arabia and Iraq with the 82d during Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm and conducted humanitarian relief operations in Dade County, Florida following landfall of Hurricane Andrew. Following professional military education, COL Hopkins returned to his alma mater where he served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science. His final three years of active duty were spent with the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) as a Brigade Plans Officer and Company Commander. In 1999, COL Hopkins left regular army service and held positions in corporate executive management within the logistics and energy sectors prior to reentering uniformed service in 2008 as a Colorado Guardsman. While serving in the Colorado National Guard, COL Hopkins held positions as the Operations and Executive Officer for 1st Battalion, 157th Infantry and as the Joint Task Force Centennial current plans officer (J35) and Deputy G3. COL Hopkins assumed command of 1-157 IN in 2013 and successfully commanded for almost three years. Following resident completion of Air War College at Maxwell AFB, AL, COL Hopkins returned to the Colorado National Guard where he served as the Director of Plans, Operations and Military Support (J3/5). COL Hopkins has served at every echelon from platoon to division, is a Joint Qualified Officer (3L) and is Dual Status Command qualified. Militarily, he currently serves as the Commander, 86th Infantry Brigade Combat Team (Mountain). His civilian occupation is service as the Deputy Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Military and Veterans Affairs.
COL Hopkins is a graduate of Airborne School, Northern Warfare Orientation Course, Ranger School (Honor Graduate), Infantry Officer’s Basic Course, Jumpmaster Course, Jungle Warfare School, Infantry Officer’s Advanced Course, School of Cadet Command, Air Assault Course, Combined Arms Services Staff School, Intermediate Level Education and the Air War College (Resident).
COL Hopkins awards include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (5 OLCs), Army Commendation Medal (3 OLCs), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLCs), National Defense Service Medal (1 service star), Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Reserve Component Overseas Training Ribbon, Defense of Saudi Arabia Service Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Colorado Adjutant General Superior Unit Award and six Colorado Emergency Response ribbons. Additional qualifications include the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge and the Ranger Tab.
An estimated 1,000 Soldiers, mainly from the 86th IBCT (MTN), are scheduled to deploy in support of U.S. Central Command, U.S. European Command, and U.S. African Command in 2021.