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Commando Battalion welcomes new commander

  • Published
  • By Army Capt. Antonia Greene
  • 174th Infantry Brigade Public Affairs
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  One of the most timeless and significant ceremonies in the Army is the Change of Command. It is rich in tradition and symbolism, dating back to medieval times. Here at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, 1st Battalion, 314th Infantry Regiment conducted the formal rite Feb 25.

Lt. Col. Thomas Sullivan, outgoing commander of 1-314th Infantry Bn., relinquished command to Lt. Col. Robert Griffin. Throughout military history, the position of the commander is regarded as the highest honor. Traditionally, the commander's principle advisor and senior enlisted Soldier, the command sergeant major, serves as the continuity during the change of command. He is also the keeper of the unit colors and the hallmark of the ceremony.

As the official appointment orders of the new commander are read aloud to the unit and guests, Army Sgt. Maj. Michael Coleman, 1-314th sergeant major, grasps the unit colors. With Sullivan on his left, the brigade senior commander, Col. Chipper Lewis, 174th Infantry Brigade commander, to his center and Griffin on his right, the passing on the colors ritual was set to commence.

"The passing of the colors not only represents the heritage and history of the unit, but also the unity and loyalty of its Soldiers," remarked the narrator, Sgt. 1st Class Duane Hines, 1-314th senior human resources sergeant.

After the responsibility of the unit and its Soldiers was entrusted to Griffin, and Lewis shared his remarks as senior commander, Sullivan took to the podium to address the unit one last time, to extend his thanks and bid farewell.

"To the men of the Commando Battalion, men with numerous trips to combat, I'm humbled to have served in your presence; you're a great team with an important mission, I wish you all the best in not only this assignment, but your careers and lives as well," expressed Sullivan.

Sullivan is returning to Fort Drum, N.Y. with his family where he plans on retiring from the Army. Next, Griffin expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to take charge of the unit.

"It's truly an honor and a privilege to be given a command, when in command, you not only serve the nation, you also serve the men and women in your command," said Griffin.

Lewis promoted Griffin to the rank of lieutenant colonel preceding the change of command ceremony. Griffin was pinned by his mother, Donna.

Griffin recently graduated from the Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas where he also earned a master's degree in international relations from Webster University. Prior to CGSC, Griffin was an embedded transition team leader in Southern Afghanistan.

Griffin is a veteran of Operations Desert Storm Desert Shield, Noble Eagle, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. His awards and decorations include, among others, the Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), the National Defense Service Medal with bronze star, the Kosovo Campaign Medal with bronze star, and the Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze stars. Griffin also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, and is airborne, air assault and recruiting qualified.