FORT POLK, La. - The 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment welcomed a new Battalion Commander July 1 in a change of command ceremony when the 'Geronimo' Battalion said farewell to Lt. Col. Matthew Tackett, the outgoing commander, and welcomed Lt. Col. Curtis Lee Rowland Jr., incoming commander.
The 1-509th is the near-peer threat, or opposing forces, to rotational units at the Joint Readiness Training Center and supports all rotations at the JRTC by providing a small local friendly force and large opposing force in Decisive Action Training Environment Rotations. During Mission Readiness Exercises, these paratroopers provide the friendly partnered forces, such as Afghan Army, Border Police and Uniformed Police.
Attending the ceremony with the Commander of Group, Col. Christopher C. LaNeve, were members from World War II who served in this battalion. LeNeve knows how challenging this mission is at the Joint Readiness Training Center testing Brigade Command Teams here in the box.
"The infantry battalion that stands before you today, has arguably one of the most important missions in our nation's Army, and that is to fight against the BCTs that come to JRTC, testing their wartime mission," said LaNeve.
Tackett said his previous command teams and leaders never let him down in the 21 rotations he was their commander.
"Always building on the legacy of World War II, this organization remained true to the 'Geronimo' reputation," said Tackett.
Tackett goes on to be the Task Force Senior of Task Force 3, Operations Group, JRTC. Task Force 3 is an Infantry Task Force and pairs with an Infantry Battalion during JRTC rotations.
"I am ever minded that not one of you chose me as your battalion commander," said Rowland as he addressed the formation of Soldiers. "Therefore, I must earn your trust, confidence, and respect every day.
Rowland will have a robust mission to take on, as just last year the battalion added two companies: Easy Company-an Infantry Company with pathfinder capabilities-and Charlie Company, a forward support company. Geronimo also has additional enablers like Cyber, Information Operations.
Rowland joins 1-509 from 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
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