Huntsville, AL –
HUNTSVILLE, AL – July 18, 2025 – Under a clear blue sky and the shadow of rockets at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, U.S. Army 2nd Recruiting Brigade held a Change of Command ceremony today, marking the end of a highly successful chapter and the beginning of a new one. The brigade bid farewell to Col. Sherdrick S. Rankin and welcomed Col. Matthew P. Upperman as its new commander.
The ceremony was attended by soldiers, families, community leaders, and distinguished guests. It formally transferred responsibility for the vital mission of recruiting the next generation of American Soldiers across eight southeastern states, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
For the past two years, Rankin has expertly guided the “Eagle Brigade,” fostering a command climate built on a “people first” mentality. This focus on motivated teams and positive leadership allowed the team to consistently meet – and often *exceed* – the Army accession goals for our Recruiter’s area of responsibility. In a testament to their dedication, the 2nd Brigade recently completed its Regular Army mission a remarkable four months ahead of schedule.
A native of Evergreen, Alabama, COL Rankin’s leadership resonated throughout the unit’s vast network – encompassing eight recruiting battalions, 46 recruiting companies, 1 recruiting district, 269 recruiting stations, 1691 Regular Army recruiters, and 281 Army Reserve recruiters – supported by the 70 dedicated military and civilian employees at Brigade Headquarters level on Redstone Arsenal.
“It has been my pleasure to watch the Eagle Brigade grow over the last two years and I will continue to watch them hit new heights from my next assignment,” Rankin said. “TEAM EAGLE!”
Stepping into the role of commander is Col Upperman, a seasoned leader hailing from Puyallup, Washington. Upperman arrives at the 2nd Recruiting Brigade after completing studies at the U.S. Army War College and previously commanding the U.S. Army Southern California Recruiting Battalion. His impressive career also includes significant assignments with the 7th Special Forces Group, NATO, and deployments to both Iraq and Afghanistan.
Upperman expressed his enthusiasm for joining the team, stating, “I am excited to join such a storied organization and amazing team of professionals and contribute to the critical mission of providing the strength to the most lethal fighting force the world has ever known.”
Upperman’s vision for the Eagle Brigade centers on building upon its legacy of success and ensuring the nation has the strength it needs to deter adversarial threats.
The 2nd Recruiting Brigade’s mission remains paramount: to identify, engage, and inspire the next generation of American heroes. With the steady hand of Upperman now at the helm, the Eagle Brigade is poised to continue soaring to new heights.