Sequence of Events
| Arrival of the Official Party |
| *Presentation of Colors |
| *National Anthem |
| *Invocation |
Pastor David Williams
|
| Remarks |
U.S. Army Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman
DLA Distribution Commanding General
|
Change of Command
|
|
| Remarks |
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary "Nick" Taylor
DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama, Commander
|
Retirement Ceremony
|
|
Presentation of Award and Certificates
|
|
| Remarks |
U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brandon Ebel
Retired
|
*Service Medley
|
* Indicates to please stand
Ceremony Host: Brig. Gen. Kevin L. Cotman
Brigadier General Kevin L. Cotman was born and raised in Hampton, Va. He was commissioned in the Quartermaster Corps through the United States Military Academy in 1994. He assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Distribution on July 22, 2025.
His first duty assignment was to the 24th Corps Support Group, Fort Stewart/ Hunter Army Airfield, Georgia, where he served as Executive Officer, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 260th Quartermaster Battalion, Platoon Leader and then Executive Officer, 110th Quartermaster Company and Battalion S-1, 260th Quartermaster Battalion.
Cotman later served as the Petroleum Officer for 8th United States Army, Yongsan Garrison, Republic of Korea. Next, he was assigned to Fort Lee, Virginia, where he served as a Petroleum and Water Instructor and later commanded the 16th Quartermaster Company, 49th Quartermaster Group. After command, he completed Training with Industry with the ExxonMobil Corporation. He then served in the 2d Infantry Division, Camp Casey, Republic of Korea, as the Division Support Command Materiel Management Officer.
Following reassignment to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Cotman was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division. He initially served as the Battalion Operations Officer, 307th Forward Support Battalion. He was then assigned to the 782nd Main Support Battalion, 82nd Airborne Division as the Support Operations Officer. He later returned to the 307th Forward Support Battalion and deployed to Operation Enduring Freedom as the Materiel Management Officer. In the newly transformed, 307th Brigade Support Battalion, he served as Battalion Operations Officer, concluding his duty as the Battalion Executive Officer during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
He was then assigned as the Executive Officer to the Vice Director of the Army Staff and later served in the Joint Staff J-4 Logistics Directorate. Next, he commanded the 82nd Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division. After completing battalion command, he served as the Senior Sustainment Observer, Coach, Trainer at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Polk, Louisiana. He then returned to the Republic of Korea where he served as the Chief, Plans and Exercise Division, United States Forces Korea J4. He then assumed command of Defense Logistics Agency Energy Americas, Houston, Texas. After command, he served as the Force Development-Logistics Division Chief, HQDA G-8. His next assignment was as the Executive Officer to the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-4. Prior to his arrival at DLA Distribution, he served as the Commanding General, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
Cotman holds a Master’s Degrees in Business Administration from Webster University and National Resource Strategy from the Dwight D. Eisenhower School, National Defense University.
His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, Combat Action Badge, Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge and Army Staff Identification Badge.
Outgoing Commander: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Brandon S. Ebel
Army Lt. Col. Brandon S. Ebel, a native of Arlington, Texas was commissioned as a lieutenant of the Ordnance Corps in 2006 and awarded a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Texas State University. Lt. Col. Ebel holds a Master of Science in Administration from Central Michigan University. His military education includes the Ordnance Officers’ Basic Course, the Logistics Captains’ Career Course, and the Intermediate Level Education.
Lt. Col. Ebel’s previous assignments include Maintenance Control Officer 3-36 Future Combat Systems Army Evaluation Task Force, Fort Bliss Texas, 2006-2007; Maintenance Platoon Leader 3-36 Future Combat Systems Army Evaluation Task Force, Fort Bliss Texas, 2007-2008; Executive Officer B Company 501st Brigade Support Battalion, 1st Armored Division, Fort Bliss Texas, 2008-2009; Advisor Military Transition Team, Iraq, 2009-2010; Commander 183rd Support Maintenance Company Fort Carson, Colorado, 2011-2012; Operations Officer Army Field Support Battalion-Italy 2013-2016; Brigade S4, 69th Air Defense Artillery, Fort Cavazos Texas; 2017-2018; Support Operations Officer; 1st Sustainment Brigade, 1st Calvary Division, Fort Cavazos Texas, 2018-2019; Executive Officer 215th Brigade Support Battalion, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat team, 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Cavazos, Texas; 2019-2020; Executive Officer, Officer Readiness Division, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox Kentucky, 2020-2021; Joint Officer Management, Officer Readiness Division, Human Resources Command, Fort Knox Kentucky, 2021-2022; Instructor, Department of Command and Leadership, U. S. Army Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, 2022-2024.
Lt. Col. Ebel’s awards and decorations include Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (3), Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3), National Defense Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal (2), Korean Defense Service Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Overseas Ribbon (3), NATO Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Combat Action Badge.
Incoming Commander: U.S. Army Lt. Col. Gary "Nick" Taylor
Army Lt. Col. Gary “Nick” Taylor, a native of Chester, Virginia, was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School in 2003 and awarded a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design from Radford University. He holds a master’s degree in National Defense and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College. His military education includes the Combat Advisor Training Course, Naval Command and Staff College, the Logistics Captains’ Career Course, the Ordnance Basic Officer Leadership Course, and Airborne School.
Lt. Col. Taylor’s previous assignments include Light Wheeled Mechanic, 551st Medical Logistics Company, 62nd Medical Brigade, 2003-2008; Maintenance Platoon Leader, 125th Forward Support Company, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 2008-2009; Supply & Service Officer, 308th Brigade Support Battalion, 2009-2010; Executive Officer, 657th Forward Support Company, 5th Battalion, 3rd Field Artillery Regiment, 2010-2011; Commander, 247th Quartermaster Company, 68th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2011-2013; Recovery Team Leader, Joint POW/MIA Accounting Command, 2014-2016; Company Grade Assignment Officer, U.S. Army Human Resources Command, 2016-2018; Chief, Distribution Integration Branch, 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, 2019-2020; Support Operation Officer, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2020-2021; Executive Officer, 13th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion, 2021-2022; and Commander, Alpha Company, 6th Battalion, 5th Security Force Assistance Brigade, 2022-2025.
Prior to coming to DLA Distribution he served as the the Deputy G3 (Operations) and G35 Future Operations Chief for the 593rd Corps Sustainment Command, America’s First Corps.
DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama
DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama provides an agile, continuous, and global distribution network that delivers effective and efficient distribution and storage solutions to increase Warfighter readiness, and extend the operational reach across military services, federal agencies and partnered/allied nations.
DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama is an adaptive, innovative organization which always delivers the Right Product, to the Right Place, in the Right Condition and Packing, in the Right Quantity, and the Right Cost, to the Right Customer, at the Right Time! The 7 R’s = Our signature.
DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama stores items ranging from small microchips to M1A2 main battle tanks. The organization’s industrial capabilities include reciprocal engine kitting, joint vehicle inspections, minor vehicle repair, modification of vehicles, camouflage painting, disassembly, assembly, modification and minor repair of small arms weapons; preservation and packaging and Total Package Fielding of weapons systems for combat and wheeled vehicles and small arms weapons.
The 270 DLA Distribution Anniston, Alabama team sustains the Warfighter through distribution operations exceeding 100,000 transactions annually. Within its 35 million cubic feet of storage area, the site manages six million items totaling more than $11 billion. DLA Distribution Anniston remains focused with the mindset of “One Team, One Mission, One Heading, and One Standard”—Warfighter Always!