The commander of the 1st Armored Division’s 1st Brigade Combat Team has been relieved of command after an investigation found "multiple violations of Army regulations and policies," officials said Wednesday.

Col. Earl Higgins Jr. had commanded 1st BCT since July 2015.

He was relieved Tuesday by Maj. Gen. Pat White, commanding general of 1st AD and Fort Bliss, Texas, for "a lack of trust and confidence in Higgins’ ability to command," according to a statement from the division.

The investigation was initiated "several weeks ago" following allegations of the violations, the statement said.

"Our soldiers deserve the best leadership the Army can provide," White said in the statement. "Based on the findings of the investigation, and in the best interest of the soldiers of Ready First Brigade, I made the decision to relieve Col. Higgins of duty."

Col. Earl B. Higgins Change of Command Col. Ross Coffman

Col. Earl Higgins Jr., left, and Col. Ross Coffman participate in the brigade change of command ceremony for 1st Brigade, 1st Armored Division, on July 22, 2015. Higgins took command of the brigade as Coffman becomes the 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss, Texas, chief of staff.
Photo Credit: Staff Sgt. Kristen Duus/Army

The investigation found Higgins committed multiple violations of the Army’s Sexual Harassment and Equal Opportunity regulations and policies, created a hostile work environment, and failed to treat subordinates with dignity and respect, according to the statement from the 1st Armored Division.

Officials from the 1st Armored Division later clarified that the Sexual Harassment policy violations cited in the investigation stemmed from inappropriate comments that created a hostile work environment, and there were no allegations of any inappropriate physical contact.

Lt. Col. Stephen Phillips, commander of 1st Battalion, 36th Infantry Regiment, will serve as the acting brigade commander until the Army appoints a replacement for Higgins.

Higgins is performing administrative duties under the supervision of the division’s chief of staff, according to officials.

Higgins’ removal will not affect the brigade’s upcoming rotation to the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, California, the El Paso Timesreported.

Higgins is a graduate of The Citadel, where he was commissioned as an infantry officer, according to his official biography, which has since been removed from the brigade’s website.

He has served in the 82nd Airborne Division, 1st Cavalry Division and 3rd Infantry Division. He’s also deployed to Bosnia, Iraq and Afghanistan. In Afghanistan, he commanded the 172nd Brigade’s 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment.

His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (two oak leaf clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (three oak leaf clusters), Ranger Tab, Senior Parachutist Badge and Combat Infantryman Badge.

About Michelle Tan

Michelle Tan is the editor of Army Times and Air Force Times. She has covered the military for Military Times since 2005, and has embedded with U.S. troops in Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, Haiti, Gabon and the Horn of Africa.

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