By Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
[caption id="attachment_29057" align="aligncenter" width="574"]
Lt. Col. Frederick Bates receives the colors of the 238th Regiment during a change of command ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center in Greenville, Ky., May 20, 2018. Bates took command from Col. Jeffrey Casada. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane)
GREENVILLE, Ky. – The guidon signifying the command of the 238
th Regiment (Combat Arms) changed hands in a ceremony at the Wendell H. Ford Regional Training Center May 20.
Outgoing commander, Col. Jeffrey H. Casada, handed over the reins of the unit that consists of the state’s Regional Training Institute to Lt. Col. Frederick W. Bates.
“Even though the 238
th has a record for complete excellence, under the tutelage of Col. Casada, we have taken it to a whole new aperture,” said Maj. Gen. Stephen R. Hogan, Kentucky's adjutant general.
For the commander on the way out, his time in command went by quick but he enjoyed getting to influence the Soldiers he led.
“These past 19 months has flown by,” said Casada. “I'm sad that (my role in) one of the best gigs in the Kentucky National Guard is ending today. Though I am excited about the new challenges ahead, I’m truly saddened to be leaving one of the best units in the state.”
[caption id="attachment_29058" align="alignright" width="300"]
Col. Jeffrey Casada (left) is presented a framed guidon from 1st Sgt. Anthony Kennedy during the 238th Regiment's change of command ceremony in Greenville, Ky., May 20, 2018. Casada commanded the 238th from 2016-2018 and relinquished command to Lt. Col. Fred Bates.
Although he will be missed, the selection for his successor was an easy one to be made.
“The selection of Lt. Col. Bates as his replacement, for his intellectual capacity and his energy and his professionalism as a Soldier and as an officer made this selection an incredibly easy one," said Hogan, giving his stamp of approval on the direction the regiment will be heading.
Bates said the standard at the 238th is high and will remain one he expects to meet. He told the unit his five basic areas in which he considers important to his and the regiment’s success: Integrity, mission, education, safety and taking care of families.
“Integrity is the most important aspect and I expect integrity in everything we do and say. If you make a mistake, own up to it and move on,” he said. “We will do all of these with excellence as we have done in the past.”
He also stressed the importance of family and how they impact the success of the Soldiers to complete the mission. Also pledging to use every resource available if a Soldier is in need.
“I can truly say that I would not have made it as far as I have in my career with the support of my family," he added.
Even though the regiment in charge of training up Soldiers for the state may have a new face, the standards will be the same across the board.
"As bitter sweet as we are at Col. Casada’s exodus, we are excited that the regiment is in the hands of Lt. Col. Bates,” added Hogan.
Kentucky's 238th has a history of success. The 238th Regional Training Institute has been named an Institute of Excellence by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command in 2012 and again in 2015.
The 238th is made up of Kentucky's Officer Candidate School, Warrant Officer Candidate School, two training battalions and the headquarters element.