On Saturday, another native of Newton County will be taking command of the 168th Engineer Brigade.
At 4 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 4, Lt. Col. – Promotable Kelvin C. Nichols will assume command of the 168th Engineer Brigade based out of Vicksburg in a formal ceremony at the Vicksburg National Guard Armory. There are only eight Army National Guard Engineer Brigades in the Army.
Nichols will be following in the footsteps of Trent Kelly who held the post until two years ago when he relinquished command to Col. Ilos J. Ducksworth, the current commander.
Nichols said he always had the goal of leading the 168th Engineer Brigade, but when he learned that he would assume command, he said he was privileged to get the opportunity.
“It is a great honor to have the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the people who have led our brigade,” Nichols said. “I am looking forward to serving the men and women of the 168th Engineer Brigade.
Nichols currently serves as Chief of Staff, to the Deputy Commanding General-Army National Guard (ARNG) Maneuver Support Center of Excellence (MSCoE) Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. He is a native of Newton County. He has over 29 years of service to the country including three combat tours — once in Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. He previously served as Chief of Staff, United States Army Engineer School; Force Integration Officer; Deputy Assistant Commandant Army National Guard; and Chief of Engineer Officer Basic Course Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Nichols National Guard assignments included Engineer Officer 184th Theater Sustainment Command, Hattiesburg; Battalion Executive Officer for the 223rd Engineer Battalion, West Point; Assistant Brigade Engineer 168th Engineer Brigade, Vicksburg; Officer of Personnel (S1); 150th Engineer Battalion, Meridian; Plans Officer 168th Engineer Brigade; Company Commander Alpha Company 150th Engineer – Carthage; Company Commander Charlie Company 150th Engineer, Houston; Company Executive Officer Alpha Company, 150th Engineer Battalion; and Engineer Platoon Leader 134th Engineer Company; and Assault and Obstacle Platoon Leader 134th Engineer Company. LTC(P) Nichols is an Active Guard Reserve (AGR) Soldier.
In 1993, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant officer, University of Mississippi ROTC program. Nichols is a graduate of the Force Development “How the Army Runs Course”; Intermediate Level Education (ILE), Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course, Tactical Battle Command Staff Operations, Reserve Component Engineer Captains Career Course, and the Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course.
Nichols earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in public administration and a master’s degree in higher education from the University of Mississippi and graduate of East Central Community College. He attended Beulah Hubbard High School in Little Rock.
Nichols awards include the Bronze Star Medal (three awards), the Army Commendation Medal (five awards), the Army Achievement Medal, the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal (seven awards), the National Defense Service Medal (two awards), the Armed Forces Service Medal (two awards), the NATO Medal (two awards), the Army Service Medal, the Overseas Service Ribbon (three awards), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal (three awards), the Global War on Terrorism Award, the Combat Action Badge, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal (two awards) and the Iraq Campaign Medal. Nichols serves on numerous military and civilian boards.
Nichols is the son of the late Dessie Nichols and the late Velpo Nichols. He has four siblings to include a twin brother Kerry of Oxford, Assistant Director North Mississippi Regional Center; sister Karen (Eddie) Griffin of Flowood, teacher Brandon School District; and brother Kenneth Nichols -Retired Navy, and current Director of Security Operations Gavin DeBecker & Associates Los Angeles, Calif. He is the grandson of Mrs. Lillie Windham Little Rock and the Late Clifton Windham and Late Felton and Lodie Nichols. He is a member and deacon of the Midway M.B. Baptist Church in Decatur under the leadership of Pastor Larry Reed Sr.
Nichols Co-Authored article, “The Future of Combined Arms Terrain Shaping Obstacle Capability” published in the Army Engineer Magazine. He served as Secretary of the Army Engineer Association Sverdrup Chapter of the Army Engineer Association. In his civilian career, he serves as senior student financial administrative advisor at the University of Mississippi.
