CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Marietta, Ga., Feb. 10, 2018 - Warrant Officer William D. Proctor, of Grovetown, Ga., assumed command of the 116th Army Band from Chief Warrant Officer 3 Omar D. Patterson during a change of command ceremony at Joint Force Headquarters, Clay National Guard Center. Proctor is the newest bandmaster to lead the 116th, the oldest National Guard or Army Reserve band currently in service.
The lineage of the 116th Army Band traces to March 28, 1859 with the founding of the Gate City Guards in Atlanta. Federalized in 1941 for World War II service, the unit served in the European Theater. On Jan. 1, 1968, the unit received its current designation as the 116th Army Band.
Proctor is proud of the history of the unit and the responsibility it brings.
"It's exciting to be part of an organization that has such a long heritage of service," said Proctor. "Georgia has such a large military presence, both active and reserve component, and it's a huge opportunity to be a part of engaging communities around the state and helping to tell the story of what our service members do."
The 116th Army Band is at the forefront of the Georgia Army National Guard's community engagement program, playing at over 60 community and holiday programs throughout the year.
"It's a proud moment for the Ga. Army National Guard as we conducted the first Change of Command ceremony in the unit's history," said Lt. Col. Catherine Cherry, commander, 78th Troop Support Battalion. "Mr. Proctor's experiences from serving on active duty in the band for 11 years prior to joining the 116th two years ago, will be very beneficial as he steps into the Commander's role."
Patterson, the outgoing commander, took an opportunity to thank the band and congratulate Proctor.
"Commanding the band has been the highlight of my career," said Patterson. "The best thing about the band is how they made me feel like a part of the family."
Bandmasters are customarily a warrant officer or chief warrant officer, usually former enlisted band members themselves who have undergone demanding in-service training for music and military leadership.
Proctor attended the University of Tennessee in Knoxville and was a trombonist in the "Pride of the Southland Band" while enrolled. In 1998, he enlisted in 129th Army Band (Tennessee National Guard).
After graduation, he enlisted in the regular Army and served at Fort Benning, Ga., Fort McPherson, Ga., and Fort Drum, N.Y., from where he deployed to Kandahar Air Field with the 10th Mountain Division in 2010.
In 2016, Proctor joined the 116th Army Band and began the process of fulfilling the unit's Bandmaster vacancy, he graduated Warrant Officer Candidate School in March 2017 and completed Warrant Officer Basic Course in November.
The new Bandmaster is looking forward to his assignment and working with the Soldiers of the National Guard's oldest military band.
"We have some tremendous Soldier-musicians in the 116th," said Proctor. "I have no doubt that within the next few years this will be the finest reserve Component military band in the country."
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