The 229th Military Intelligence Battalion held a change of command ceremony on Soldier Field June 16, 2026, marking the transition of leadership from outgoing commander Lt. Col. Benjamin Griffin to incoming commander Lt. Col. Ryan Peacock.
Col. Christy Whitfield, commandant of the Defense Language Institute Foreign Language Center, presided over the traditional passing of the colors. During the ceremony, Whitfield praised the outgoing commander’s impact on the unit.
“Ben’s leadership is defined by his ability, his strategic vision and his unwavering commitment to his people,” Whitfield said.
Throughout his tenure, Griffin guided the battalion through its mission of training, linguistically preparing, and developing highly disciplined Army linguists for critical worldwide intelligence operations. Reflecting on that mission, Griffin looked back on his time with the unit and expressed his pride in the soldiers he led.
“I couldn’t have asked for better partners,” Griffin said of his 229th team. Addressing the soldiers directly, he added that he was proud to be part of their military beginnings. “Commanding the 229th was the greatest privilege of my career.”
Griffin is slated to transition back into academia, returning to the United States Military Academy to lead the American History Division in the Department of History and War Studies.
As the battalion prepares for its next chapter, Whitfield emphasized the high caliber of leadership stepping into the role.
“Selection for battalion command in today’s army is an incredibly stringent process that is reserved for only the most exceptional leaders,” said Whitfield. “Lt. Col. Peacock represents the absolute best our officer corps.”
Peacock, a 2009 graduate of West Point who was selected for lieutenant colonel command last year, steps into the role as 229th commander fresh from a tour at U.S. Central Command, where he served as an intelligence plans officer supporting Operation Epic Fury and Operation Midnight Hammer.
As the dedicated Army element at DLIFLC, the 229th Military Intelligence Battalion remains vital in providing the nation’s premier culturally fluent military intelligence professionals.
