FORT BENNING, Ga., (July 17, 2013) -- Marine Corps Detachment Fort Benning welcomed a new commanding officer during a ceremony July 15 at Brave Rifles Field.
Lt. Col. Michael Muller, who had led the detachment since June 2009, before its move to Fort Benning from Fort Knox, Ky., relinquished command. Maj. Jeffrey Brown, the detachment executive officer and acting commander, accepted the colors on behalf of incoming commander Lt. Col. Ruben Martinez, who was unable to attend the ceremony due to a requirement to attend Sexual Harrassment/Assault Prevention and Response training.
The Marine Corps Detachment consists of two companies that support Marines who come to Fort Benning for training and provide crewmen and mechanics for the Assault Breacher Vehicle and the M1A1 Abrams Tank.
The detachment came to Fort Benning in 2011 as part of the Base Realignment and Closure moves that also brought the Armor School here.
"Marines and Soldiers are truly brothers and sisters in arms," said Maj. Gen. H. R. McMaster, commander of Fort Benning and the Maneuver Center of Excellence. "The Marine Corps detachment here may be small, but they play a huge role in supporting our joint force's combat readiness."
The change of command also included the official retirement ceremony for Muller, who served in the Marine Corps for 21 years. He plans to move to Louisville, Ky., with his wife and five children.
"For 21 years, I have worn this uniform and lived in a world where policy and directive drive my every step," Muller said. "You can take me out of the Marine Corps, but you can't take the Marine Corps out of me. I will sleep well at night knowing you all still stand in harm's way on my behalf."
Martinez has served in the Marine Corps since 1993. His most recent assignment was as a Special Plans and Policy Officer with U.S. Special Operations Command.
He will assume command of the detachment in a ceremony Friday.
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