Posted on Sep 14, 2016
Army fires Col. Earl B. Higgins, commander of Bliss-base | ArmyTimes
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TITLE: Army fires commander of Bliss-based 1st BCT
The commander of the 1st Armored Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has been relieved of command after an investigation found “multiple violations of Army regulations and policies,” officials said Wednesday.
Col. Earl Higgins Jr. had commanded 1st BCT since July 2015.
He was relieved Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of 1st AD and Fort Bliss, Texas, for “a lack of trust and confidence in Higgins’ ability to command,” according to a statement from the division.
The investigation was initiated “several weeks ago” following allegations of the violations, the statement said.
“Our soldiers deserve the best leadership the Army can provide,” White said in the statement. “Based on the findings of the investigation, and in the best interest of the soldiers of Ready First Brigade, I made the decision to relieve Col. Higgins of duty.”
The investigation found Higgins committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect, according to the statement from the 1st Armored Division.
Lt. Col. Stephen Phillips, commander of 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, will serve as the acting brigade commander until the Army appoints a replacement for Higgins.
Higgins is performing administrative duties under the supervision of the division’s chief of staff, according to officials.
Higgins’ removal will not affect the brigade’s upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, the El Paso Times reported.
Higgins is a graduate of The Citadel, where he was commissioned as an infantry officer, according to his official biography, which has since been removed from the brigade’s website.
He has served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division. He’s also deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he commanded the 172nd Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
The commander of the 1st Armored Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has been relieved of command after an investigation found “multiple violations of Army regulations and policies,” officials said Wednesday.
Col. Earl Higgins Jr. had commanded 1st BCT since July 2015.
He was relieved Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of 1st AD and Fort Bliss, Texas, for “a lack of trust and confidence in Higgins’ ability to command,” according to a statement from the division.
The investigation was initiated “several weeks ago” following allegations of the violations, the statement said.
“Our soldiers deserve the best leadership the Army can provide,” White said in the statement. “Based on the findings of the investigation, and in the best interest of the soldiers of Ready First Brigade, I made the decision to relieve Col. Higgins of duty.”
The investigation found Higgins committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect, according to the statement from the 1st Armored Division.
Lt. Col. Stephen Phillips, commander of 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, will serve as the acting brigade commander until the Army appoints a replacement for Higgins.
Higgins is performing administrative duties under the supervision of the division’s chief of staff, according to officials.
Higgins’ removal will not affect the brigade’s upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, the El Paso Times reported.
Higgins is a graduate of The Citadel, where he was commissioned as an infantry officer, according to his official biography, which has since been removed from the brigade’s website.
He has served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division. He’s also deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he commanded the 172nd Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.
Army fires Col. Earl B. Higgins, commander of Bliss-base | ArmyTimes
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"Higgins committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect". Imagine that after so much lip service is afforded Army no-tolerance of sexual harassment or discrimination, here we have such an environment and culture fostered at the Brigade level. No wonder 20,000 people do not come forward to report being assaulted knowing the system is rigged against them at the highest level. No wonder a 1stSgt or company commander can intimidate and squelch a victim early on in the process to make their unit look good in the shower. When the BGD CO condones and sets the example victims have no chance. If anyone doubts such a climate exists in the AF, or the Army, this case is a prime example that it does.
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Thanks for sharing that yet an anther leader is being investigated or relieved for cause SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL. In this case it is the Commander of Fort Bliss-based 1st Brigade Combat Team.
It is unconscionable that Col. Earl Higgins Jr. "committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect."
It is unconscionable that Col. Earl Higgins Jr. "committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect."
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interesting... what is this the 5 or 6th Flag Officer in the last 5-6 weeks to be Relieved or Fired...
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