'To Dragoon' leaders depart, ushers in new

By Jennifer Scales, Fort Stewart Public AffairsJuly 27, 2012

DRAGOON Change of Command
Lieutenant Colonel Eugenia Guilmartin renders salute during the National Anthem. Also rendering are 16th MP Bde. Commander Col. Chad McRee, from Fort Bragg, and, to his left, Lt. Col. Jerry Chandler, incoming 385th MP Bn. commander, during the July 1... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT STEWART, Ga. - Inevitably in the Army, changes occur.

In keeping with that mantra and a tradition in the Army, a change of command and change of responsibility ceremony was held for the 385th Military Police Battalion 'To Dragoon' commander, Lt. Col. Eugenia K. Guilmartin and the Command Sergeant Major for the battalion, Command. Sgt. Maj. William Fath, July 18.

Stepping up to take their respective vacancies are Lt. Col. Jerry Chandler, Jr and Command Sgt. Maj. Clayton Sneed.

Soldiers representing every company in the battalion were in place on Cottrell Field as Lt. Col. Guilmartin took her final review of troops and Lt. Col. Chandler underwent his first.

The 385th MP Bn. falls under the umbrella of 16th Military Police Brigade, Fort Bragg, N.C. Commander of the brigade, Col. Chad McRee, was present for the ceremony.

"These Soldiers of the 385th have provided world class support to our nation and community," said Col. McRee in his comments during the ceremony. "… It makes me proud for all you have done, and continue to do."

In her final formal remarks, Lt. Col. Guilmartin paid tribute to her mother, mentors, friends and Soldiers who have supported her path to leadership.

Though tearful recollection, she also noted the Fallen Soldiers who gave their all. "There is no finer group of talented leaders and Soldiers," she said. "This is a great community." The U. S. Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island is the next assignment for Lt. Col. Guilmartin.

Lieutenant Colonel Chandler in his comments stated that he was excited to be on board and honored to be a part of this community and the outstanding unit of the 385th MP Bn. His previous assignment was as the Director of Emergency Services at Fort Gordon, Ga.

The history of the 385th MP Bn. began in 1944 when it was activated in France. Since that time it has undergone such changes as renaming, inactivations, reassignments and reactivations.

Throughout its restructuring, the 385th MP has supported operations from World War II to present day conflicts and operations.