FORT RILEY, Kan. -- The 2nd Combined Arms Battalion, 137th Infantry Regiment, Kansas National Guard, welcomed a new commander during a ceremony Aug. 12 at Camp Funston.
Lt. Col. Carlin Williams, incoming battalion commander to 2nd Combined Arms Bn., 137th Inf. Regt., assumed command from Lt. Col. Jason Nelson, outgoing battalion commander to 2nd Combined Arms Bn., 137th Inf. Regt., who held the position for 18 months.
"To the Soldiers of the 'Volunteer' battalion, you have done everything I have asked you with professionalism and enthusiasm," Nelson said during his final remarks. "I did not accomplish all the major feats over the last 18 months, you did. Your commitment to the battalion and this Army National Guard is second to none."
Nelson praised the Soldiers as exceptional and always leading the way. In his final comments to them, he challenged them to push themselves further.
Col. Doug Ferguson, commander of the 155th Armored Brigade Combat Team, Mississippi National Guard, which the Volunteer battalion falls under, attended the change of command as the reviewing officer. During his remarks, he complimented Nelson's hard work and sacrifices made to ensure the battalion's success and smooth relationship with the 155th ABCT.
"What I did find from the very beginning was a professional leader who was confident in the capabilities of his Soldiers and he understands that loyalty is not for those above him who assess his performance, but to those placed in charge," Ferguson said. "Since that day, I have learned that not only is Jason a competent leader, but witnessed first-hand the extraordinary and other uncommon abilities that 2-137th possess."
When Ferguson said he first met Williams, he expressed interest in going to the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California, something Ferguson thought made him too eager. However, Williams grew on him and proved himself willing to take on any task presented and tackle any obstacle.
"From day one, Carlin dove headfirst in being a team member in the brigade leadership commander, doing any task that any Soldier of any rank might be asked to do -- I don't think he ever slept," he said. "All his energy and drive and confidence immediately convinced me that he is the ideal leader to carry on the 2-137th legacy."
Through the interstate partnership program, the Volunteers fall under the 155th ABCT, Mississippi National Guard. As the number of brigade combat teams were decreased across the Army National Guard, battalions from various states were placed together under the remaining BCTs that they complemented, based off of brigade and unit needs, Ferguson said.
He said he was hesitant at first about having a Kansas National Guard battalion under his command, but the Soldiers have proved themselves to be reliable, skilled and confident as a unit, making them an important asset to the 155th ABCT.
"For a long time, I thought this caliber of Soldiers could only be found in Mississippi, but Jason and his battalion have made me a believer in Kansas," Ferguson said.
Part of those traits, he said, comes from the Volunteer battalion training at Fort Riley -- a resource he hopes to one day use for the 155th ABCT.
"It's a great relationship and what makes part of the great relationship is the resource of Fort Riley being in 2-137's backyard," Ferguson said.
The relationship between the Volunteer battalion and the 155th ABCT is one that matches the state of the world today, Williams said. With many organizations crossing international lines and businesses hiring employees all over the country and world, it makes sense to see similar things happening with the Army National Guard.
"It's been really great," he said of the relationship with 155th ABCT. "Society is more global today than it has (been). We've got people who live and work different places than where they come and drill, so for me, I just see it as an extension of the changes within the world. We work with them just like many people work with companies that are far away."
The 2nd Combined Arms Bn., 137th Inf. Regt., held their change of command at Fort Riley because it is a central location for training and equipment maintenance for the companies, Williams said. The unit recently returned from an NTC rotation with the 155th ABCT as they prepare for a deployment in the upcoming year. As part of the recovery from NTC and preparation for additional training leading up to the deployment, the Volunteer battalion came to Fort Riley to access the Maneuver Area Training Equipment Site on Camp Funston.
"Our unit's equipment is here and all the companies are spread out throughout the state of Kansas, so this is a central location where we can bring everyone together -- this is where we train, this is where all our equipment is and this is where we gather when we're coming all together," he said.
Williams said he is prepared to take on any challenges the unit may face leading up to and during their deployment. However, he believes they will overcome any issues because of the years the Soldiers have spent working and training together within.
Unlike active-duty Soldiers who change units more frequently, Army National Guard Soldiers remain together for years, allowing them to build strong ties with one another.
"We've got a level of camaraderie and esprit de corps that's kind of different then what traditional units see," he said.
Ferguson said he looks forward to seeing what Williams will do and what sort of mark in the unit's history he will leave.
"He won't be another Col. Nelson, he will be Col. Williams and he will put his own imprint on the unit's legacy," Ferguson said.
Social Sharing