Photo By Staff Sgt. Tracy Smith | Col. Vernon C. Atkinson II, outgoing commander of the 201st Regional Support...... read more read more
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CLAY NATIONAL GUARD CENTER, Ga. – Among dozens of friends, family members and fellow Georgia Guardsmen, Col. Vernon C. Atkinson II closed another chapter in his 34-year Army career today during a change of command ceremony at Clay National Guard Center. As the outgoing commander of the 201st Regional Support Group/ FEMA Region IV Homeland Response Force, Atkinson said goodbye to his joint Army and Air National Guard team and reflected on the past two years of his command.
“When this brigade was first stood up, I don’t think anyone could imagine how far we would come,” said Atkinson. “Our numbers are better than they’ve ever been, and I think that’s because we have a joint team of Guardsmen who are always looking for solutions and ways to make things better. My hope is that this unit will continue to strive to do their jobs better every day, and I know we have the people and the leadership to make that happen.”
During Atkinson’s command, the 201st RSG/HRF most recently received a 94 percent (excellent) score on the National Guard Bureau/U.S. Army North external evaluation and conducted consistent real-world emergency response training with our local, state and federal partners throughout FEMA Region IV. The brigade also made great strides in integrating Guardsmen from the Army, Air and State Defense Force, appointing the unit’s first Air National Guard deputy commander.
In his next role with the Georgia National Guard, Atkinson has taken an assignment as the domestic operations officer with the joint staff plans section. With retirement on the horizon, he says leaving the 201st HRF will likely mean his time in command has come to an end. Over the past three-and-half decades he has held the title “commander” for five units from company to the brigade levels, including the Georgia Army National Guard’s Detachment 1, Company F, 131st Aviation Regiment; 3rd Battalion, 122nd Regiment; and 201st RSG/HRF.
Before coming to the Georgia National Guard, Atkinson spent 12 years serving in the Florida National Guard, the Army Reserve and on active duty. He’s earned a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College and dozens of military awards, including the prestigious Legion of Merit, Master Army Aviator Badge and the Air Force Commendation Medal.
Atkinson’s long career took him overseas for multiple assignments in Korea, Honduras, Bosnia, Haiti, Afghanistan and Iraq. He said that time of service far away from his family was valuable, but did not come without sacrifice.
“It was hard on the family, I deployed three times in my first 10 years of service,” he said. “But knowing that they fully supported me and that my wife was at home making sure everyone was taken care of made it easier for me to do my job. I don’t think anyone could do this for 34 years without a strong, supportive family. They’ve been a blessing to me.”
Atkinson’s wife, Ellen, echoed his sentiments about the years spent apart from her and their five children. She said their family relied on the community and the church to fill in the gaps while he was away, but she added that it was all for a worthwhile cause.
“We know that what he’s doing is important,” she said. “It’s important to him but it’s important to us, too. Military service is a family venture, and if everyone isn’t on board, it isn’t going to work. We’re just proud of him and all he’s done!”
As the Atkinson family looks ahead to the end of their military career, the Soldiers and Airmen who have served alongside Col. Atkinson recognize the impact of a great leader.
“This is an ‘us and we’ business, it’s not an ‘I and me’ business,” said Col. Thomas Carden, Georgia Army National Guard assistant adjutant general. ”I’ve never seen a group of servant-leaders more adept to that than the 201st under Col. Vernon Atkinson’s leadership. Thank you, Vern, for all you’ve done.”
| Date Taken: | 04.18.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 04.22.2015 14:23 |
| Story ID: | 160839 |
| Location: | MARIETTA, GEORGIA, US |
| Web Views: | 206 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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