Headquarters & Service Battalion, Headquarters Marine Corps, Henderson Hall welcomed Col. Andrew M. Regan as its leader July 10 during a change of command ceremony that doubled as a retirement ceremony for outgoing commanding officer Col. Anthony S. Barnes.
"I'm excited to be here, I'm excited to command Marines," Regan said. "Every day I walk into this office, every day I'm here, Marines, I'm here for you. I'm here for the Marines of this battalion and the important work that goes on in the National Capital Region. I'm committed to helping you professionally and personally, and that also includes your families."
Regan, a native of Katonah, New York, holds a bachelor's of arts degree in economics from the University of Rochester and was commissioned through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps in 1991.
He has served operationally in the I, II, and III Marine Expeditionary Forces in all elements of the Marine Air Ground Task Force. Regan is also a graduate of the Army Advanced Engineer Officer Course, the Marine Command and Staff College and the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He holds a master's of business administration from the University of South Carolina and a master's of science in national resource strategy from the ICAF.
"I think you know what Headquarters Battalion represents," said Lt. Gen. James B. Laster, director Marine Corps Staff, said in remarks welcoming Regan to the battalion. Laster also lauded Barnes' 27-year career. "It represents every Marine in the National Capital Region."
Laster said Barnes knew he wanted a military career ever since the first grade and to be an aviator since he was in the second grade.
"He has a patriotic character, he's a warrior fighter," Laster said of Barnes. "You've done it all. You've done it extremely well."
Barnes, who took command of the battalion on July 9, 2013, thanked his family for their unwavering love and support during his military career.
"I don't know how God took a boy from West Pensacola and made him a Marine, but I'm so glad He did," said Barnes.
Barnes will soon be flying for a commercial airliner.
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