Photo By Frank O'Brien | Soldiers of Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker...... read more read more
ZABUL PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Outgoing commander, Capt. Jeremy S. Medaris, transferred command to incoming commander Capt. Jeremy M. Teter in a ceremony at Forward Operating Base Eagle for Charlie Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment, 1st Stryker Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, Oct. 17.
Teter, aka “Jeremy Two” is a seven-year Infantry officer from Macon, Mo., who has worked as a planning officer for the past year providing missions to Medaris, aka “Jeremy One.”
The nicknames – Jeremy’s One and Two – were given by 1st Battalion, 24th Infantry Regiment commander, Lt. Col. Jeff Stewart.
“We hold change of command ceremonies to recognize the accomplishments of the unit,” said Stewart in a speech to the unit and guests. “Charlie Company has consistently done a battalion’s share of work with a company-sized element.”
Medaris, a Florence, Ala., native, will be moving to Kandahar Air Field for a new position with the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment.
“I couldn’t be prouder to pass on such a capable unit to Captain Teter,” said Medaris. “He’s set up for success with the best executive officer and the most competent first sergeant I’ve come across.”
Executive officer, Capt. Joseph M. Lapointe, selected “Born in the U.S.A.” by Bruce Springsteen as the theme music for the pre-ceremony gathering and helped keep Jeremy’s One and Two on track.
An award ceremony for Charlie Company soldiers was held prior to the transfer of authority. Several Purple Heart Awards, Combat Action Badges and Army Achievement Medals were awarded. This is the third consecutive month of award ceremonies for the Fort Wainwright, Alaska-based Soldiers.
“Charlie Company is the action arm of the battalion,” said Teter in a speech after accepting the unit guidon from Medaris. “We’re their combat power.”
Teter was instrumental in the planning of “Operation Fairbanks” a recent U.S.-Afghan partnership mission successfully completed by Charlie Company of a road previously subject to Taliban attacks between the provincial capital, Qalat, and the district capital of Mizan. Afghan National Army soldiers have now taken over responsibility for manning checkpoints along the road and providing security.
My goal, said Teter, is to partner more with the Afghan National Police in the upcoming year -- to train with them and get them ready to operate independently. Since the unit doesn’t always get to partner with the same ANP units, we sometimes have to focus on teaching the basics to new units. “But we’re looking forward to going on actual missions with the ANP,” he added.
Charlie Company, affectionately nicknamed “C Nation” by Medaris in a nod to the Cena Nation fans of WWE wrestler Jon Cena, is known as the Centurions and has adopted a Roman gladius, shield and helmet as their symbols. Their motto, “strength and honor,” was popularized by the blockbuster action film, “Gladiator.”
Members of Combined Team Zabul from the Romanian Army and Virginia Army National Guard 116th Infantry Brigade Combat Team were in attendance as special guests for the transfer of authority ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 10.17.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 10.20.2011 10:39 |
| Story ID: | 78761 |
| Location: | QALAT, AF |
| Web Views: | 810 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
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