Praetorian News

Vanguard sweeps the Brigade Best Squad Competition

March 12, 2026

FORT A.P. Hill, Va. – Soldiers representing three of the four battalions under the command of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), Praetorians, competed in the brigade’s 2026 Best Squad Competition (BSC) March 3 through 5.

Soldiers from the 781st MI Battalion (Vanguard); 782d MI Battalion (Cyber Legion); and the Operations Support Element, competed to represent the Praetorians at the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command BSC, April 15 to 21.

The brigade’s fourth battalion, the 11th Cyber Battalion (Leviathan), completed their BSC in February and will represent the Leviathans at the U.S. Army Cyber Command BSC later this year.

11th Cyber Battalion hosts HHC, Hellhounds, Change of Command

March 11, 2026

By Cpl. Teanna Dooley, 11th Cyber Battalion

FORT GORDON, Ga. – Soldiers, Civilians, friends, and Family gathered to honor Capt. (CPT) Cutosha Dilworth, outgoing commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), Hellhounds, and to welcome CPT John Kuhn as the incoming commander during a ceremony hosted by Lt. Col. (LTC) Chuck Suslowicz, commander of the 11th Cyber Battalion, at Darling Hall, March 11.

The ceremony featured a formation composed of the noncommissioned officers in charge from each battalion staff section, representing the leaders who support HHC’s daily operations. CPT Dilworth also asked the officers in charge (OIC) to stand from the crowd in recognition of their contributions, noting, “Everyone standing up here represents the backbone of our Battalion Staff.”

Hackathon V – A cyber and computer challenge event for young people

November 19, 2025

ODENTON, Md. – Soldiers and Civilians from Fort George G. Meade hosted the last of the three Hackathon events – a program intended to encourage teen interest in STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), specifically in cybersecurity – at the Odenton Regional Library, Anne Arundel County Public Library.

This is the fifth year the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) hosted Hackathon, and although there was a government furlough, the brigade and garrison Soldiers, all volunteers, flawlessly conducted the events on October 7 and November 4 (the first fall event was held September 22).

The Brigade-sponsored Hackathon centers around a CTF (capture-the-flag) competition, which for the past three seasons has been designed by Chief Warrant Officer 3 Joshua Wellman. The CTF is a ‘cyber exercise’ where participants search for flags, using a variety of techniques including reverse engineering, decryption, netcat, and ssh keys; and at the four other stations, completing those challenges contributes to their overall CTF score.

Army principal cyber advisor commends ARCYBER innovations in electromagnetic and cyberspace dominance

July 29, 2025

FORT GORDON, Ga. — The Army's top cyber strategist, Mr. Brandon Pugh, principal cyber advisor to the secretary of the Army, concluded a landmark three-day visit to Army Cyber Command Headquarters in late July, signaling strong support for the command's forward-thinking approach to cyber readiness and modernization.

A key highlight of Mr. Pugh's visit was his in-depth engagement with the capability developers from the 11th Cyber Battalion, who showcased a range of innovative, in-house engineered devices tailored to meet the unique operational needs of the expeditionary cyber teams. These demonstrations featured customized solutions designed to bridge target network connections and identify adversary emitters across the battlefield.

Vanguard Army 250 Exhibit celebrates generational service to our Nation

May 23, 2025

The Army’s 250th birthday is June 14, 2025, and since 1775 the Army's motto is “This We’ll Defend”. For 250 years, Army Soldiers and Civilians have served our nation.

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – Members of the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), Vanguard, have contributed their personal memorabilia to create an Army 250 Exhibit that spans back to the Revolutionary War to showcase their service – and their Families' service – in defending our country.

Vanguard Battalion bids a bittersweet farewell to a beloved leader

March 7, 2025

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – The Soldiers and Civilians of the 781st Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), Vanguard, and 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), Praetorians, bid a bittersweet farewell to Command Sergeant Major Jermaine Ocean, who relinquished his responsibility as the battalion’s senior enlisted leader and “keeper of the colors”, and this ceremony also served as his retirement ceremony after 25 years of faithful and dedicated service to our Nation.

The ceremony also recognized Command Sgt. Maj. Ocean’s Family, as they too have sacrificed and served our Country in their own special way.

Staff Sgt. Joshua Van Buskirk, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) 2026 Best Squad Competition

March 18, 2026

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Army Staff Sgt. Joshua Van Buskirk, a 35N, Signals Intelligence Analyst, serves in the 781st Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion (Cyber), Vanguard, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and he is the squad leader for the squad which competed and won the 780th MI Brigade (Cyber) Best Squad Competition held March 3 to 5, 2026. Van Buskirk’s squad will represent the brigade at the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command BSC, April 15 to 21, 2026.

Staff Sgt. Van Buskirk is also the brigade’s 2026 Noncommissioned Officer of the Year.

According to the U.S. Army Best Squad website (https://www.army.mil/bestsquad/), the competition assesses “each squad on their technical and tactical proficiency, as well as their ability to work as a disciplined and cohesive team.”

Detachment-Hawaii, Hyperion 6 hosts change of responsibility ceremony

March 5, 2026

By 1st Lt. Jan Leo Ras, Detachment Hawaii, 782nd Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber)

SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – Army Maj. Jacob Curtis, commander, Detachment-Hawaii (Hyperions), 782d Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), hosted the Change of Responsibility between outgoing First Sgt. (1SG) Nevada Henricksen, and the incoming senior enlisted leader, 1SG Christopher Steiner, at the Main Post Chapel, March 5.

In attendance were the 782d MI BN (Cyber) Command Team, Lt. Col. Matthew Hutchison and Command Sgt. Maj. Raymond Lopez, and the Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members of the Detachment-Hawaii o’hana.

11th Cyber Battalion Change of Responsibility

October 3, 2025

FORT GORDON, Ga. – Soldiers, Civilians, friends, and Family bade farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. (CSM) Keyne A. Smith, the outgoing command sergeant major of the 11th Cyber Battalion, Leviathans, and welcomed CSM David Herrera Jr., their new senior enlisted leader and ‘keeper of the colors’, in a ceremony hosted by Lt. Col. (LTC) Charles E. Suslowicz, commander of the 11th Cyber Bn., in Darling Hall, October 3.

LTC Suslowicz told the gathering that the Change of Responsibility ceremony was an important day in the history of the 11th Cyber Bn. as it commemorated the extraordinary service of CSM Smith, “who has guided this battalion with an uncompromising commitment to our Soldiers,” and welcomed a new senior enlisted leader, CSM Herrera, who would now take on that “solemn” responsibility.

11th Cyber Battalion Change of Command

June 25, 2025

FORT GORDON, Ga. – Soldiers, Civilians, friends and family bade farewell to Lieutenant Colonel Luis (Lou) A. Etienne Jr., the outgoing commander of the 11th Cyber Battalion, Leviathans, and welcomed Lt. Col. Charles E. Suslowicz, their new battalion commander, in a ceremony hosted by Colonel Candy Boparai, commander, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), on Barton Field, June 25.

In a ceremony steeped in Army tradition, Soldiers representing the Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Hellhound; A Company, Apex; B Company, Bandits; and C Company, Capybara, stood in formation to pay their respects to both the outgoing and incoming battalion commanders.

Echoes of influence: Saying farewell to 1st IO

May 12, 2025

FORT BELVOIR, Va. — The story of the 1st Information Operations Command is a testament to how innovation in warfare often starts quietly – drawn out on butcher boards in briefing rooms and SCIFs (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) – by people who see what others don’t yet recognize.

From the sands of Iraq to the digital battlefields of today, its members helped pioneer Army Information Advantage.

Inactivation of Army’s only active-duty information operations command

AvengerCon IX returns to the Augusta Georgia Cyber Center

February 27, 2025

AUGUSTA, Ga. – The 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) hosted AvengerCon IX, a cyber-con, and the theme was “the intersection of government, industry, and academia in support of advancing cybersecurity,” February 26 and 27 at the Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center.

AvengerCon is a free security event hosted by volunteers from the 780th MI BDE to benefit the hackers of the U.S. Cyber Command and Department of Defense. The event is targeted at personnel supporting DoD cyberspace missions, but others are welcome to attend. AvengerCon features presentations, hacker villages, training workshops, and much more (https://avengercon.com/mission).

Praetorians “Everywhere and Always…In the Fight!” Change of Command

June 24, 2024

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – Maj. Gen. Timothy D. Brown, commanding general, United States Army Intelligence and Security Command, hosted a change of command ceremony whereby Col. Benjamin F. Sangster relinquished his command of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), Praetorians, to Col. Candy Boparai in a ceremony on McGlachlin Parade Field, June 21.

In a ceremony steeped in Army tradition, the Soldiers representing the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (Hastati); 781st Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion (Vanguard); 782nd MI Battalion (Cyber Legion); 11th Cyber Battalion (Leviathans); Operations Support Element; and Task Force Echo, 126th Cyber Protection Battalion, Army National Guard; stood in formation to bid farewell to their departing commander and to welcome a new one.

Spc. Kiari Amerson, 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) 2026 Best Squad Competition

March 18, 2026

FORT A.P. HILL, Va. – Army Spc. Kiari Amerson, a 35N, Signals Intelligence Analyst, serves in the 781st Military Intelligence (MI) Battalion (Cyber), Vanguard, Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and he was in a squad which competed and won the 780th MI Brigade (Cyber) Best Squad Competition held March 3 to 5, 2026. Amerson’s squad will represent the brigade at the U.S. Army Intelligence and Security Command BSC, April 15 to 21, 2026.

Spc. Amerson is also the brigade’s 2026 Soldier of the Year.

11th Cyber Battalion Executes Hellhound Week to Sharpen Warrior Skills

February 17, 2026

By Cpl. Teanna Dooley, public affairs liaison, 11th Cyber Battalion

FORT EISENHOWER, Ga. – Soldiers from Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC), 11th Cyber Battalion, Hellhound, conducted Hellhound Week to demonstrate their commitment to readiness, discipline, and warrior proficiency, February 4 and 5.

The training event was as a comprehensive assessment of Soldiers’ Level 10 Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills that align with the company’s Mission Essential Task List (METL) and Expert Soldier Badge (ESB) standards.

Army Principal Cyber Advisor Visits U.S. Army’s Only Offensive Cyber Operations Brigade

August 8, 2025

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, MD – Mr. Brandon Pugh, the U.S. Army’s Principal Cyber Advisor to the Secretary of the Army, visited the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) on August 6. The brigade is the Army’s sole offensive cyber operations unit, playing a pivotal role in national defense and cyber warfare.

The visit followed Mr. Pugh’s three-day trip to U.S. Army Cyber Command (ARCYBER) headquarters at Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he received briefings and engaged directly with ARCYBER’s top talent.

“The 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) is on the frontline of defending our nation and conducting cyber operations,” said Brandon Pugh, the Army’s Principal Cyber Advisor. “The brigade is an invaluable component of the United States’ cyber enterprise. My visit to the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber) was an extraordinary opportunity to meet Soldiers conducting these important cyber operations and to see its unique capabilities firsthand.”

Cyber Legion Change of Command Ceremony

June 4, 2025

FORT GORDON, Ga. – The 782d Military Intelligence Battalion (Cyber), Cyber Legion, marked a significant transition of leadership during a change of command ceremony held on Barton Field, June 4.

Senior Leaders, family, friends, and Soldiers of the Cyber Legion gathered to bid farewell to outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Kirklin Kudrna, and welcomed the incoming commander, Lt. Col. Matthew Hutchison. The ceremony, steeped in tradition, formally transferred responsibility for the unit’s vital cyber mission, ensuring continued readiness and dominance in the information environment. Presiding over the event was the commander of the 780th MI Brigade (Cyber), Col. Candy Boparai, who lauded Lt. Col. Kudrna’s leadership and expressed confidence in Lt. Col. Hutchison’s ability to lead the 782d MI BN forward.

11th Cyber Battalion “Leviathans” “Global Reach, Global Impact!”

April 23, 2025

The Army’s primary purpose is conducting land combat operations to defeat enemy ground forces and seize, occupy, and defend land areas, while also supporting four strategic roles for the joint force. The Army’s strategic roles are shape operational environments, counter aggression during crisis, prevail during large-scale combat operations, and consolidate gains. Additionally, the land domain is one of the most complex environments where “the most distinguishing characteristic of the domain is the human element… (and) controlling terrain, infrastructure, and populations require Soldiers to operate in the midst of political, economic, social, and religious tumult.” To successfully win in this complex environment it requires Soldiers, leaders, and units to have the requisite knowledge, skills, and attributes that can overcome ambiguity and chaos. Those skills and knowledge also ensure the forces provided to a combatant commander gives them multiple options to meet and overcome any challenges. The Soldiers and leaders within 11th Cyber Battalion have those unique skill sets and knowledge that contributes winning in a complex environment.

Attracting top talent and building relationships

January 13, 2025

Army cyber unit’s commitment to community engagements and Army recruiting

FORT GEORGE G. MEADE, Md. – The Soldiers and Civilians of the 780th Military Intelligence Brigade (Cyber), the Praetorians, embrace opportunities to talk to the American people and support Army outreach and recruiting efforts to inspire (or educate) others to join the United States Army.

The Praetorian Soldiers and Civilians are ideally positioned to assist Army outreach and recruiting efforts as the brigade has a footprint in four U.S. states – Georgia, Hawaii, Maryland, and Texas – and although there are more than 200 ways to serve in the Army, the brigade represents military occupational specialties that most Army recruiters are unable to explain in depth.