Fort Leavenworth STB welcomes new command team

FORT LEAVENWORTH, Kansas - Fort Leavenworth's Special Troops Battalion recently welcomed a new command team, with ceremonies last month and last week to mark the changes in leadership.

Outgoing Special Troops Battalion Commander Lt. Col. Michael Johnson passed the authority of command and associated responsibilities to incoming STB Commander Lt. Col. Michelle Shed during a ceremony Sept. 10, 2026, at the Frontier Conference Center at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

STB Command Sgt. Maj. Kyisha Crawford assumed responsibility Aug. 28, 2026, after the battalion's senior leader position had been vacant for most of the year due to the compassionate medical reassignment of her predecessor.

During the change of command, ceremony host Lt. Gen. James P. Isenhower III, commanding general of Combined Arms Command and Fort Leavenworth, said Johnson helped STB streamline processes to counter inadequate assets and oversaw the conversion of the 500th Military Police Detachment into the CAC Law Enforcement Activity. Isenhower said Johnson was also instrumental in CAC's transition from a center to a command last year.

Johnson said he appreciated the passion that installation command teams' have for taking care of soldiers, and he told Shed she had a huge task ahead of her.

"You will take care of not awesome things until it becomes routine, and you'll have experiences that will make you question a lot of things. But within all that, there will be one universal truth - you are in a position to change lives every single day. You can never do it alone, but you're surrounded by amazing, passionate professionals," Johnson said.

Isenhower said Shed comes from a large military family that has helped shape her values and dedication. He said she has gained experience in her previous assignments that will help her determine the best use of STB's resources.

During her remarks, Shed told Crawford that she is excited to have her as her battle buddy.

"Command is a team sport, and I could not have asked for a better senior enlisted leader to stand beside me. I look forward to leading this formation with you, taking care of our people, enforcing standards, and ensuring this battalion remains ready," she said.

Shed said she has been incredibly impressed with the professionalism, competence and commitment she has seen as she has been observing the soldiers and civilians of the battalion over the past few weeks.

"I'm humbled to serve as your commander. You can expect me to work hard, listen and communicate clearly, and in return, I ask that we take care of one another, uphold the standards and remain ready," Shed said. "Our mission is important. We support the Combined Arms Command, Fort Leavenworth and the Army by developing trained and ready soldiers. We will continue to do that mission exceptionally well."