Photo By Sgt. Brian Johnson | Lt. Col. Tom Caldwell, new commander of the 216th Engineer Battalion, stands at...... read more read more
CHILLICOTHE, Ohio – In the Army, unit commanders may come and go, but the impact that they have can be long lasting. The Ohio National Guard’s 216th Engineer Battalion is no exception.
On April 3, at the Camp Sherman Readiness Center in Chillicothe, Lt. Col. Ben Capriato handed over command of the 216th Engineer Battalion to his successor, Lt. Col. Tom Caldwell.
Capriato, who had been in command of the 216th for almost three years, had reached the end of his battalion command time. The normal command time for a battalion commander is 30-36 months.
“My time as the battalion commander here was the best experience of my military career”, said Capriato.
As part of his final remarks to those under his command, Capriato took the time to recognize the people around him who made his time a success.
“I’m grateful to have great people supporting me, especially my wife [Shannon], Command Sgt. Maj. Shepherd, great company leadership and the best full-time unit support in the state. People make all the difference in the world,” explained Capriato.
After his remarks, the ceremonial change of command took place. With a passing of the 216th Engineer Battalion’s flag from Lt. Col. Capriato to his boss, Brig. Gen. Robert Clouse, commander of the 16th Engineer Brigade. With that passing of the flag, Captiato’s time as battalion commander officially came to a close.
Brig. Gen. Clouse passed the engineer battalion’s flag to Capriato’s successor, Lt. Col. Caldwell, charging him with the responsibility of the unit.
Caldwell is no stranger to the engineer community. He has served at the company, battalion level positions in the 216th Engineer Battalion, as well as different positions in the 16th Engineer Brigade.
Caldwell assumes command of the 216th Engineer Battalion, which includes six subordinate units and more than 750 soldiers.
“I hope to build on the success the battalion already has had,” said Caldwell. “With the foundations of team work and hard work that we have, it will help us to build a successful road to the future.”
| Date Taken: | 04.03.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 03.14.2012 06:39 |
| Story ID: | 85218 |
| Location: | CHILLICOTHE, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 590 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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