Historic Montana National Guard unit transforms to meet evolving needs

Helena, Mont. — The Montana National Guard marked a major shift for the 1st of the 163rd Infantry Battalion in Helena as the unit moves from cavalry to infantry.

The change ended a chapter that stretches back to the 1800s, around the time Montana became a state. The update reflects the changing needs at the state and national level, said Brig. Gen. Trent Gibson, adjutant general of the Montana National Guard.

“As they transition out of a cavalry unit right into a straight infantry unit, they're changing those colors to infantry blue and reorganizing into what's going to be the new lineage for the first of the 163rd off into the future,” Gibson said.

The unit served as cavalry in both World Wars, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and several other conflicts. It has also responded to disasters in Montana.

Lt. Col. Dwain Henderson, the 163rd infantry commander, said the shift requires the battalion to adapt in how it operates and prepares. He explained that the change came with a new tactical approach and a different training focus.

“Just kind of understanding and kind of figuring out like this huge shift in how we tactically operate, how we train," he said. "How we're going to transform into the 163rd Infantry."

The transition also includes equipment changes. Older Bradley Fighting Vehicles and Abram tanks are being phased out as the unit move to infantry squad vehicles.

Henderson compared the new vehicles to a modified Chevy Colorado for military purposes.

“But with the simplification of the vehicle, you know, the technical piece now shifts to the infantryman himself,” Henderson said.

That means new training and reorganization centered on how soldiers would move the vehicles and fight differently.

These newer, lighter vehicles mean more training can happen in Montana, instead of sending soldiers to other states to work on Bradleys and Abrams tanks.

There is, however, an emotional element to this change, Henderson said. For decades, the 1st of the 163rd has operated these vehicles and worn their cavalry patch.

"We have, you know soldiers that that's all they've done. We've had leaders that that's all they've done. They worked with the brads and tanks," Henderson said. "We have to we have to take that emotion, we have to understand it, and then we have to move forward."

The impact reaches beyond Helena because the 1st of the 163rd is headquartered in Belgrade with companies in Missoula, Great Falls and Billings. Henderson said some people are being reassigned as part of the adjustments.

“This is just another another piece of history for the battalion. This is just kind of the battalion shaping itself for another story later on down the road,” Henderson said.