A 1987 Distinguished Military Graduate from the U.S. Army Officer Candidate School took command of the 3rd United States Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Wednesday morning in a change-of-command ceremony at Summerall Field on Fort Myer, Va.
Col. David P. Anders succeeded Col. Joseph P. Buche as the 78th regimental commander, who is going to be the Senior Fellow at the Center for a New American Security in Washington, D.C.
Summerall Field was lined with Soldiers from the 1st and 4th Battalions as well as The United States Army Band (Pershing's Own), during the change-of-command.
Following Buche's last inspection of the troops - and Ander's first, the passing of the regimental colors took place. Command Sgt. Maj. David Martel, the command sergeant major of The Old Guard, passed the colors to Col. Buche, who then handed them off to Brig. Gen. Karl R. Horst, the Commanding General of Joint Force Headquarters-National Capital Region and the U.S. Military District of Washington. Horst then handed the colors to Anders and then they were handed back off to Martel.
During the ceremony, Brig. Gen. Horst praised Buche for his hard work and dedication.
"Your commitment and sacrifice contributed directly to the long list of many Old Guard historical achievements," said Horst, who was the ceremony host.
Horst then went on to describe the new Old Guard commander.
"Col. Anders is more than up to the task for leading this magnificent unit on the field before us. I have known and have served with (Col. Anders) several times before. He is a proven combat leader that absolutely lives by the highest standard in training and in combat," Horst said.
Anders has served as a rifle and mortar platoon leader in 1st Battalion, 503d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, Korea, and as a Weapons and Support Platoon Leader in the 1st Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Hunter Army Airfield, Ga.
Following the Infantry Officer Advanced Course, Anders commanded A Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division and III Corps Long Range Surveillance Company at Fort Hood, Texas. Col. Anders then commanded the Long Range Surveillance Leaders Course, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Fort Benning, Ga.
After Command and General Staff College he served the 10th Mountain Division as the Secretary to the General Staff, Battalion S-3, 1st Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment and 1st Brigade S-3.
From Fort Drum, NY, Col. Anders went to Alexandria, Va., where he served as the Infantry Lieutenant Colonel Assignment Officer at Human Resources Command. Following that assignment, Anders served as the commander of 1st Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment and then as the G-3 of the 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, NC.
Col. Anders has a bachelor's degree from the University of Texas at Austin, a Masters in Military Art and Science and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the Command and General Staff College and Army War College, respectively.
During his 22 years of service, Anders has earned the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, two awards of the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star and the Pathfinder Badge.
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