Military - Howze named commander of Delta Company 1-61 Infantry Regiment

CPT RaShodd A. Howze, a native of Blackville, took control as incoming commander of Delta Company 1-61 Infantry Regiment during a change of command ceremony on March 8, 2023.

RaShodd entered the United States Army in April 2011 and attended Basic Combat Training at Fort Jackson and AIT at Fort Lee, Virginia where was awarded the 91D MOS. CPT Howze was commissioned in the Chemical Branch in 2017 through the South Carolina State University ROTC program. He attended the Chemical Officer’s Basic Course at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri.

Captain Howze’s assignments include: 178th Engineer Battalion, a National Guard Unit in Rock Hill, where he served as a Generator Mechanic and a Security Forces Vehicle Driver and deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 12-13; HHC, 2-27 IN BN, Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, where he served as the Battalion Chemical Officer; Bravo Company, 2-60th IN REG, Fort Jackson, S.C. where he served as the Company Executive Officer; Army Forces Battalion, Joint Task Force Bravo, Soto Cano Air Base, Honduras, where he served as the Battalion S1 and HHC; 120th AG BN (REC), Fort Jackson, S.C., where he served as the Battalion S3.

His military and civilian education includes the PUMA SUAS Operator Initial Qualification Course, Chemical Basic Officer Leader Course, Combatives Level 1 Course, Adjutant General Captain’s Career Course, and the Company Commander First Sergeant Pre Command Course. CPT Howze attended Claflin University in Orangeburg, S.C. where he earned his bachelor’s degree in Sociology and is working to complete his master’s degree in Human Resource Management.

CPT Howze’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (2 OLC), Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (1 Campaign Star), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon (ASR), Overseas Service Ribbon (OSR), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with M Device), NATO Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.

CPT Howze is married to Jordan Howze and together they have a three-year-old daughter, Carson Howze. He is the son of Carla and Shawn Howze Sr. and brother of Shawn Howze Jr., all of Barnwell.