HOHENFELS, Germany -- Marking the next chapter in its 219 year history, the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment, one of the oldest and most decorated units in the Army, turned out for inspection during the change of command ceremony, July 7.
After serving two years as commander, Lt. Col. Rafael A. Paredes passed the reins to Lt. Col. Mitchell O. Watkins at a ceremony presided over by Col. John M. Spiszer, Joint Multinational Readiness Center commander.
“This is the proudest moment of my military career,” Paredes said. “I tell my officers that nobody goes to a circus to watch a guy juggle three balls, they go to watch a guy juggle chainsaws on fire, and that’s how we feel sometimes, some of the things we do here. And this unit has done great things.”
Paredes praised the regiment for its accomplishments, not only serving in Afghanistan in support of Combined Task Force Zabul for 9 consecutive deployments, but also in continuing to carry out their premiere mission of serving as U.S. Army Europe’s opposing force.
“Every day, I was humbled by their accomplishments, their resilience, and their desire to accomplish the mission, no matter what the task,” said Paredes.
Col. Spiszer pointed out that in addition to being one of the most deployed units in the Army, the 1st-4th Inf. Reg. also helped train over 50,000 Soldiers during the past two years, most of them headed for combat in Afghanistan.
“Raf (Paredes) wouldn’t want me to single him out as he always gives credit to others,” Spiszer said, “but I know his initiatives, vision, drive, and expertise combined to truly make a significant difference to the community, the 1st " 4th Infantry, and to the countless units we’ve trained.”
Incoming commander Watkins told the gathered Soldiers, “I cannot express the pride I feel, and at the same time, the humility, to become part of your organization.”
“Lt. Col. Watkins comes to us with a wealth of experience that is going to stand our warrior battalion, our OPFOR, our USAREUR units in good stead as we transition to doing more full spectrum training,” said Spiszer. “It is now up to him to keep the ball moving forward in Hohenfels.”
Paredes is on his way to Paktika province in Afghanistan as the Deputy Commander of the 172nd Separate Infantry Brigade, a unit that the 1st-4th Inf. Regiment and the Hohenfels military community helped prepare for this very mission in trainings conducted a few short months ago.
When the 20-year veteran was asked when he might consider retirement, Paredes replied, “As long as I feel like I’m making a difference, I’ll continue to serve.”
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