Photo By Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony L Taylor | Col. Eric Engelmeier, commander of the 300th Military Police Brigade, gives remarks...... read more read more
ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL. – The 327th Military Police Battalion, 300th MP Brigade, 200th MP Command held a change of command ceremony at the Paul G. Schulstad Army Reserve Center, Sept. 22.
Lt. Col. Richard VanBuskirk relieved Lt. Col. Frank Fink as battalion commander during a ceremony with soldiers from each company present: 814th MP Company, 822nd MP Company; 102nd MP Company; 79th MP Company; and the headquarters headquarters company. Upon relief, Fink prepares to retire from the U.S. Army next month.
Col. Eric Engelmeier, commander of the 300th Military Police Brigade, presided over the ceremony, and praised Fink as battalion commander for only a short period, due to a congressional mandatory removal date which Fink has reached. In his remarks, Engelmeier shared Fink’s achievements with the battalion and family members present there.
“From that day when he [Fink] was a first lieutenant to this day as a lieutenant colonel, you need to look at the positions that he held. You will see things like platoon leader, company commander, and operations officer, and that’s what it’s all about,” said Engelmeier. “That’s how you get to this level within our military leadership. Col Fink has done a fantastic job, and wish we could keep him around.”
Engelmeier highlighted VanBuskirk’s assignments stating they were “equally stacked” with Fink’s. He then closed with a few words to the families present.
“If anyone has a significant other or a spouse at home, they know the pain and anguish that goes through families because of the uniform that we wear,” said Engelmeier. “The flowers you received today were a very small token of our appreciation. I can say with confidence that I know I couldn’t do my job if it wasn’t for [my wife] in the rear taking care of us. We need to always remember to take care of our families.”
Fink shared a summary of his brief time in command, and expressed thanks to many in attendance. He directed his closing comments to the soldiers present at the ceremony.
“To the soldiers of the 327th military police battalion, on the fifteenth of next month I’ll put this uniform on for the last time,” said Fink. “For those of you who will continue to wear it, and make this country a better place for my family and I to live, I thank you.”
Fink was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Illinois National Guard Military Police Corps from Western Illinois University in Macomb, Ill. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Education and a teaching certificate from the State of Illinois. His military education includes graduation from the Military Police Officer Basic and Advanced courses, Combined Arms Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College. A few of Fink’s assigned units included the 233rd Military Police Company, 33rd Military Police Battalion, 85th Training Division, and the 75th Division.
VanBuskirk was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Reserve Military Police Corps from Kemper Military College in Boonville, Mo. He is currently working on his Masters of Science Program Management at the Naval Post Graduate School in Monterrey, Calif. His military education includes graduation from the Military Police Officers Basic and Advanced courses, Combined Arms Services Staff School, and Command and General Staff College. A few of VanBuskirk’s assigned units included the 300th MP Brigade, 785th MP Bn., 56th MP Company (combat support), 85th Training Division, and the 100th Division.
The change of command ceremony is a formal ceremony conducted before the assembled personnel of the command, and it confirms to the soldiers of the unit that total responsibility, authority and accountability is transferred from one individual to another.
Command Sgt. Maj. Abbe Mulholland, command sergeant major of the 300th Military Police Brigade was amongst the attendees of distinguished guests at the ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 09.23.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 09.23.2013 18:43 |
| Story ID: | 114134 |
| Location: | ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, ILLINOIS, US |
| Web Views: | 2,230 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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