By Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond, Kentucky National Guard Public Affairs
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Lt Col. Todd Neal receives the battalion guidon from Col. Hal Lamberton during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., Nov. 15, 2013. Neal assumed command of the 2nd Modular Training Battalion of the 238th Regiment. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
GREENVILLE, Ky. -- Lt. Col. Todd Neal assumed command of the 2nd Modular Training Battalion, 238th Regiment during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., Nov. 15, 2013.
Lt. Col. David Roche relinquished command, a position he has held for the past two years. Col. Hal Lamberton, the regimental commander said Roche was a pivotal part of the 238th Regional Training Institute being named an Institution of Excellence for 2012. Lamberton also awarded Roche the Meritorious Service Medal for his leadership of the 2/238th.
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Soldiers of the 238th Regiment stand in formation during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional training Center in Greenville, Ky., Nov. 15, 2013. The regiment is is made up of the 1st Field Artillery Battalion, the 2nd Modular Training Battalion and the Regimental Headquarters. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
Neal comes to the unit from the 149th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade where he spent several years in the brigade's plans and operations section. Neal said taking command of a battalion should be on every officer's list of goals in their careers. He thanked several Soldiers and mentors who have helped him along the way to this highlight of his time in uniform.
"As a young officer, there are two or three things you look to do. You want to be a successful platoon leader and get a company command, but most guys look at the pinnacle of their careers being a brigade or battalion commander," said Neal. " This is a step I fortunately been able to take and I look forward to the challenge and doing a good job for the organization and the leadership and improve on what is already in place."
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Lt. Col. Daivd Roche receives the battalion guidon from Master Sgt. Benzie Timberlake during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., Nov. 15, 2013. Roche relinquished command of the 2nd Modular Training Battalion to Lt. Col. Todd Neal (left). (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)
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Col. Hal Lamberton, commander of the 238th Regiment pins the Meritorious Service Medal to the uniform of Lt. Col. David Roche following a change of command ceremony in Greenville, Ky. Lamberton cited Roche as a key figure in the 238th receiving the distinction of becoming an institution of excellence in 2012. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Scott Raymond)