Courtesy Photo | Maj. Jacob Jeffers, left, outgoing commander of Headquarters and Headquarters Company,...... read more read more
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By: Spc. William A. Joeckel
2nd AAB, 1st Inf. Div., USD-C
BAGHDAD - Headquarters and Headquarters Company “Hammer,” 1st “Vanguard” Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Advise and Assist Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, United States Division–Center marked the passing of command from Capt. Jacob Jeffers to Capt. Eric Smith in a ceremony July 25 at Camp Taji, Iraq.
For many officers, the highlight of their career is their time spent as a company commander.
At that level, commanders are the direct link between their soldiers—their development and well-being—and the mission, which must be accomplished. Jeffers, an armor officer and a Ripplemead, Va., native, served for a year as the commander of HHC, 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment.
He led the company through predeployment training at Fort Polk, La., and more than halfway through a deployment to Iraq.
“Hammer Company is the most diverse company in the Vanguard Battalion,” Jeffers said. “The company has a wealth of different [military occupational specialties] and sections which have a multitude of tasks to complete on a daily basis, from operations staff running the battalion tactical operations center, intelligence soldiers keeping the entire unit informed, to cavalry scouts and mortar infantrymen performing essential missions outside the wire.”
Smith, the incoming commander and a Milwaukee, Wis., native, agreed that taking command of a company with such a broad mission would be a great challenge.
“In the company, there are a bunch of different soldiers doing a bunch of diverse jobs,” he said. “Its challenging and I am enjoying it because I am being pushed outside of my comfort zone, and I appreciate that.”
Smith brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the company. He is a West Point graduate and has deployed with 101st Airborne Division. Smith was the previous commander of Company B “Barbaric,” 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, presently stationed at Joint Security Station Old MoD, Iraq, from June 2010 to June 2011.
“Eric Smith is no stranger to the Vanguard Nation or command,” said Lt. Col. John Cross, commander of 1st Battalion, 18th Infantry Regiment, and an Elk City, Okla., native. “He is rejoining Hammer Company, having served as the [assistant operations officer] before commanding ‘Barbaric’ Company.”
Cross said that Smith brings a high level of tactical expertise to the job and will do well as he transitions to apply a higher level of organizational leadership.
“Jake Jeffers has done a remarkable job as the commander of Hammer Company this last year,” Cross said. “Throughout it all, his professionalism and leadership have proved instrumental in the success of the company and the Vanguard Nation.”
In addition, Jeffers was promoted to the rank of major by Cross after the change of command ceremony.
During the ceremony, Jeffers remarked on the greatness of the Vanguard Battalion, emphasizing that one of the features that makes the battalion great is the family atmosphere it possesses.
“I had a great time as a Vanguard, I enjoyed every minute of it,” said Jeffers. “The best thing about the ‘Vanguard Nation’ is that it established a strong family setting. The fact that the battalion commander and command sergeant major sit down with soldiers of the unit and get to know them has been a great benefit to this battalion.”
After departing command, Jeffers will move on to become the operations planner with 2nd AAB and plans to continue his service in the Army.
“The Army is a great institution, with the Army values it gives you something to believe in,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 07.25.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2011 06:29 |
| Story ID: | 75111 |
| Location: | BAGHDAD, IQ |
| Web Views: | 327 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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