2nd Marine Regiment keeps moving with outstanding leadership

Photo By Sgt. Austin Long | Colonel William Jurney (left), outgoing commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, looks out at the formation while the colors are posted with Col. Daniel Sullivan, oncoming commanding officer, April 12 at Marston Pavilion aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C. “We have to continue on the path Col. Jurney put us on and prepare to be the most adaptable and flexible unit out there that we can be, and when we get down range we’re going to handle our mission they put us on and it’s going to be an honor serving with you (2nd Marine Regiment),” said Sullivan while addressing Marines under his command at the ceremony.  

CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, UNITED STATES

04.12.2013

Story by Cpl. Austin Long 

II Marine Expeditionary Force   

CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Colonel William Jurney, the outgoing commanding officer of 2nd Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, passed the battalion colors to Col. Daniel Sullivan, the incoming commanding officer of 2nd Marines, April 12 during a change of command ceremony in front of Marines, sailors, family and friends at the Marston Pavilion, aboard Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune, N.C.

“When you come in behind a guy like Jurney, it’s about keeping the track and momentum the Regiment already has going,” said Sullivan. “And my job is to simply pick up where he left off and get the Marines and Regiment across the finish line.”

Sullivan graduated from Auburn University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant Aug. 30, 1990, and after completing The Basic School and Infantry Officers Course he reported to 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander and a Heavy Weapons Platoon Commander.

Sullivan met Jurney, who was also serving as a platoon commander with 2/4, and the two worked alongside each other for two years before going on to different units.

“I served with Sullivan and I couldn’t imagine the Marine Corps to pick a better leader to take the helm as they continue to develop in support of future operations in Afghanistan,” said Jurney.

Sullivan led 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment as the Battalion executive officer during a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2005. A few years later in 2008 he led 1st Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment on a deployment to Al Anbar Province, Iraq, again in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Although Sullivan is coming in to a new unit with less than 180 days until deployment, he said that he is excited and understands things are changing but it’s important to finish strong in Helmand province and that our main focus should remain on getting the mission accomplished.

“We have to continue on the path Col. Jurney put us on and prepare to be the most adaptable and flexible unit out there that we can be, and when we get down range we’re going to handle our mission they put us on and it’s going to be an honor serving with you (2nd Marine Regiment),” said Sullivan while addressing Marines under his command at the ceremony.

• Date Taken: 04.12.2013
• Date Posted: 04.15.2013 13:07
• Story ID: 105204
• Location: CAMP LEJEUNE, NORTH CAROLINA, US