The 3rd Battalion, 85th Infantry Regiment, Warrior Transition Battalion Fort Drum, held a change of command ceremony Tuesday at Magrath Sports Complex.
Lt. Col. Todd Bajakian, outgoing commander, relinquished command to Lt. Col. Brad Johnson.
During the ceremony, Col. Matthew Mattner, Fort Drum U.S. Army Medical Department Activity commander, recognized the battalion's achievements under Bajakian's leadership.
Mattner noted the battalion experienced a number of successes during this time, including the transition of more than 700 Soldiers, the inactivation of the community-based Warrior Transition Unit in Massachusetts and the battalion sustaining its leadership of warriors in transition.
"Todd, you have done a marvelous job commanding the team to achieve success in many areas," Mattner said. "Your leadership has been the key to the organization's success."
The WTB is charged with transitioning Soldiers, and today, Bajakian said, "we are doing what the battalion does best: transitioning Soldiers. Today we transition the leadership of the battalion."
Bajakian leaves the WTB to be the next 10th Mountain Division (LI) command inspector general here at Fort Drum.
"(My Family) looks forward to our next adventure as we continue to serve the Army and take care of Soldiers," he said.
Johnson last served with the Mission Command Training Program, Fort Leavenworth, Kan. He said it is an honor to be able to serve with the 3-85th WTB.
"Today is not about unit lineage or individuals," Johnson said. "It is about an extremely important mission: effectively healing and transitioning wounded, ill and inured Soldiers with dignity and respect."
Johnson went on to say that he looks forward to working with the WTB cadre, Civilians, medical providers and the organizations across the installation that provide care and services to Soldiers.
The WTB provides command and control, administrative support and services, quality care and case management services for Soldiers in transition.
The unit cares for wounded ill and injured Soldiers while helping them to transition successfully back into the Army or into civilian life.
Social Sharing