HURON – Lt. Col. Trent Bruce of Sioux Falls, took command of the South Dakota Army National Guard’s 153rd Engineer Battalion during a change-of-command ceremony, Saturday, Oct. 3, at the Huron National Guard armory.
Bruce is married to Woonsocket native Nicole (Nedved) and they have two children.
He assumed responsibility from Lt. Col. David Daily, of Sturgis, who served in the position since September 2013.
“It is a humbling experience to get this opportunity to take command of the 153rd Engineer Battalion and follow in the footsteps of the great leaders that have come before me,” said Bruce, a native of Custer. “I am truly honored to lead the men and women of the units that comprise the battalion all across the state.”
As the commander of the 153rd, Bruce is now responsible for the command and control of about 800 soldiers in seven units in 12 communities throughout South Dakota. The 153rd assists assigned units in meeting training, administrative and logistical requirements to maintain the unit’s readiness in support of their state and federal missions.
“This battalion has been recognized two years running as the very best in the nation, and I look forward to working with the soldiers and leaders within these ranks to maintain that reputation, train hard and be ready when the nation or state calls,” said Bruce. “I look forward to maintaining the tradition of excellence that has been established for the battalion and continuing the momentum the soldiers have built.”
In civilian life, Bruce is an engineer and serves as vice president of the consulting firm DeWild, Grant, Reckert and Associates Company (DGR Engineering) of Rock Rapids, Iowa. He currently serves as office manager and department head for DGR’s Sioux Falls office.
Daily, also a native of Custer, will be assigned to the Joint Force Headquarters in Rapid City as the deputy for the Construction and Facilities and Management Office.
Bruce’s career in the SDARNG began in 1993 as an enlisted bridge crewmember of the 211th Engineer Company in Custer. In May 2000, he received his commission as a second lieutenant through the South Dakota State University Army ROTC program, where he was assigned as an engineer officer in Company C, 153rd Engineer Battalion, in Parkston.
Some of Bruce’s career highlights include company commands of Company B, 153rd Engineer Battalion and the 211th Engineer Company of Madison, both plans and operations officer for the 153rd and executive officer for the 153rd and 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade of Sioux Falls.
Bruce has been mobilized twice for deployments overseas, where he served as commander of Company B, 153rd, in Iraq from 2004-2005 and as the engineer operations officer for the 196th MEB in Afghanistan from 2010-2011.
Some of Bruce’s military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal and Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.