SAN ANTONIO –
The 5th Recruiting Brigade held its Change of Command ceremony on July 16, 2026, at the historic Alamo, where it welcomed Col. Benjamin K. Bennett as the new commander and bid a fond farewell to the outgoing commander, Col. Julian Perez.
Deeply rooted in military tradition, the change of command ceremony signifies the formal transfer of authority and continuity of leadership. It also represents the trust placed in the incoming commander to lead the brigade forward toward greater success.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Sara Dudley praised Perez for his contributions and noted his leadership and its impact on the unit.
“You’ve helped change the lives of 34,619 men and women who have now joined the Army under your leadership,” Dudley said. “Most importantly, you are handing off this brigade on the upswing.”
Perez, who served as the brigade commander since July 2024, was honored for his profound impact and dedicated service and will retire from military service following his successful tenure at the brigade.
During his remarks, Perez reflected on his time and emphasized the core of the mission - the people. “Recruiting is about changing lives. Every young man or woman who raises their right hand represents hope, opportunity and the future of our nation,” Perez said. “I leave with one profound truth. It is all about the Soldier. The greatest honor of command is not the title; it is the privilege of serving.”
During his command, Perez focused on collaboration and strategic partnerships with fellow military units and organizations, notably III Armored Corps. This partnership led to the highly successful U.S. Army Experience at Fort Hood, an immersive, three-day event that brought students from 55 high schools across Texas for a firsthand look at Army life. Over 6,000 students walked away with a new appreciation for the Army, with more than 1,500 students signing up to receive additional information about serving.
In his farewell speech, Perez expressed immense pride in the brigade’s accomplishments and deep gratitude for the hard work and dedication of his team.
Bennett comes to 5th Brigade from U.S. Central Command, where he served as J158 Manpower Division Chief. He expressed his enthusiasm to lead across echelons, from engaging at the strategic level to effect change to rolling up his sleeves at the tactical level. Bennett also echoed Perez’s sentiments on what drives the mission: “For me, leadership is about people, partnerships, and prospecting. People are the most important.”
The 5th Recruiting Brigade encompasses seven battalions, 49 companies, and 281 stations across 14 states and 972,650 square miles. For more information about the 5th Recruiting Brigade, visit https://recruiting.army.mil/5thbde/about_5thbde/.