Lt. Col. Jason Nelson will receive command of the Kansas National Guards 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment in a change of command ceremony Saturday, Dec. 12. The 10 a.m. ceremony will take place at the Manhattan armory, 721 Levee Drive.

I look forward to serving with the 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment team, said Nelson. Lieutenant Colonel Denney and the professional soldiers of 2-137th have set the stage for continued excellence and it is my honor to lead the team.

It has been a tremendous honor to command the 2-137th Combined Arms Battalion, said Denney. I have had the privilege of witnessing exceptional Soldiers accomplish extraordinary things during my tenure as commander. The Soldiers and staff in this battalion are second to none and amongst the finest soldiers in the Kansas Army National Guard. I am grateful for having been afforded the opportunity to become part of this unit's rich history. I have every confidence in Lieutenant Colonel Nelson and look forward to watching the battalion excel to new heights under his leadership.

Lt. Col. Jason Nelson

Lt. Col. Jason Nelson began his military career in 1990 as a M60A3 armored crewman and was commissioned a second lieutenant through the Reserve Officer Training Corps program at Emporia State University in 1995.

Nelsons previous assignments include platoon leader; executive officer; personnel officer for the 1st Battalion, 635th Armor; commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 635th Armor in Junction City, Kansas; operations officer for 1st Battalion, 635th Armor; deputy plans officer for the 35th Infantry Division, and chief of Operations for the 35th Infantry Division. He is currently assigned as the state training officer for the Kansas Army National Guard.

Nelsons military awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal with three oak leaf clusters, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster, National Defense Service ribbon with bronze star, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kosovo Campaign Medal with Bronze Star, Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars, the Global War On Terrorism Service Medal, Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, and the Honorable Order of Saint George.

Nelson deployed to Kosovo from October 2004 through February 2006. He also deployed to Afghanistan from November 2010 through October 2011.

Nelson attended Emporia State University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in biology. Nelson has completed the Air Defense Artillery Officer Basic Course, Armor Officer Captains Career Course, Combined Arms Exercise, Intermediate Level Education Common Core, and Advanced Officers Warfighting Course.

Lt. Col. Steven W. Denney

Lt. Col. Steven W. Denney was commissioned in the Kansas Army National Guard in July 1993 as an infantry officer. In addition to his role as commander, he serves as administrative officer and deputy commander of 69th Troop Command.

Denneys past assignments include infantry platoon leader, mortar platoon leader, executive officer, company commander, battalion personnel officer, battalion executive officer, Mobilization and Readiness officer, State Training Officer, and deputy operations officer, Kansas Army National Guard. His deployments include Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Denney earned a bachelors degree in public administration at Fort Hays State University. He is also a graduate of the resident Army Command and General Staff Officers College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Combined Arms Services and Staff School; Infantry Officer Advanced Course; Infantry Officer Basic Course; and Primary Leaders Development Course.

His military awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Basic Parachutists Badge and the Pathfinder Badge.