The Ranger Training Brigade's former deputy commander, LTC Martin Barr, became the new battalion commander of 2nd Battalion, 58th Infantry Regiment, during a change of command ceremony June 16 at Kannell Field.
Barr said he felt fortunate for the command opportunity.
"Today is another great Infantry day at Fort Benning," he said. "There's no place I would rather be than right here at 2/58 Infantry. I look forward to leading and working alongside all of you."
Barr's awards include the Bronze Star Medal with oak leaf cluster, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster.
Barr replaced LTC Richard Timmons II, who successfully led the unit for two years, said 198th Infantry Brigade commander COL Daniel Kessler. His next job is with the U.S. Joint Forces Command in Virginia.
"The Patriot Battalion has done a superb job of producing the best-trained Infantry Soldiers in the world during the past two years in support of an Army at war," Kessler said. "(The Timmons family's) caring and compassionate leadership tremendously improved the unit's effectiveness, and they will be missed."
Timmons' awards include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal and Army Commendation Medal.
Timmons said he was honored and privileged to work with such a great team and couldn't recall working with any better Soldiers throughout his career.
"Over the past two years, you have helped me understand and appreciate the uniqueness and power of the experience called basic combat training and one station unit training," he said. "It is an experience that connects the American families and communities to our Army."
Kessler said Timmons led the battalion in transforming Infantry OSUT by integrating combatives and marksmanship with tactical training.
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