JAMESTOWN, N.D. - Capt. Ricky Kuhn relinquished command of the North Dakota National Guard's 817th Engineer Company (Sapper) to his older brother, Capt. Toby Kuhn, in a change of command ceremony Jan. 12.
"My brother and I joined the military at different times, but later went through officer candidate school together in 2017,” said Ricky Kuhn, outgoing commander.
“I went fast track and he was traditional. It's been great for us to go from enlisted to officer together. In the military, you make friends who you consider brothers, but to serve alongside my actual brother is something I've cherished."
Ricky Kuhn has commanded the 817th since October 2022. After completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in 2006, he served as a combat engineer and deployed to Kosovo with the 141st Maneuver Enhancement Brigade in 2009. His career progression included assignments as operations officer with the 957th Engineer Company and logistics officer for the 164th Engineer Battalion.
Toby Kuhn, the incoming commander, began his military service in February 2010 as an early warning systems operator. After deploying to the National Capital Region with the Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 188th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, in 2013-2014, he transferred to the 815th Engineer Company as a horizontal engineer. He commissioned through Officer Candidate School in 2018 and completed the Engineer Basic Officer Course and Engineer Captains Career Course. His previous assignments included engineer staff officer, company executive officer, and platoon leader in the 818th and 817th Engineer Companies.
"Before we took our commissions, we were in the same unit. Since then, we've been trading roles and positions in the Guard," said Toby Kuhn. "The 817th Engineer Company is one of my favorite companies, and I am very glad to be back. I look forward to building and expanding on the legacy my brother has helped to create."
The change of command ceremony represented a formal transfer of authority and responsibility for the unit. Family members, friends and the public attended.