Photo By Sgt. Michael Mathewson | Battery A (-), 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery unveil a new patch in a...... read more read more
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HOLTON, Kan. -- In a ceremony conducted simultaneously in 16 Kansas National Guard armories Dec. 1, 2012, soldiers of the 635th Regional Support Group removed their Kansas sunflower patch and replaced it with the new distinctive 635th RSG patch.
The 635th RSG, commanded by Col. John Campbell and Command Sgt. Maj. Ed Boring, is headquartered in Hutchinson, Kan.
The 635th consists of the 1st Battalion, 161st Field Artillery; 2nd Battalion, 130th Field Artillery; 250th Forward Support Company; 1161st Forward Support Company and Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 635th Regional Support Group.
The 635th RSG was formed in 2005 following the reorganization of the 35th Division Artillery. Being a new unit, the 635th did not have its own distinctive unit crest or shoulder patch. Therefore, the units have been wearing the sunflower patch of the Kansas Army National Guard. The design of the new shoulder patch and crest was the responsibility of the U.S. Army’s Institute of Heraldry. The institute researches the history of the main unit and linage of the units that have been linked to it. Official approval of the patch was made June 18, 2012; the crest was approved March 29, 2006.
The patch will now be worn on the left shoulder of soldiers assigned to the 635th RSG and its subordinate units.
“The soldiers now have a patch that sets them apart from the rest of the state,” said 1st Sgt. Kevin Rieschick, first sergeant of Battery A, 2nd Bn., 130th FA, resident of Pittsburg, Kan. “As a first sergeant, it is great to stand before a unit that has everyone back from deployments.”
Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 635th RSG, Hutchinson, hosted the main re-patching ceremony. Soldiers of the 1st Bn., 161st FA conducted their ceremony in Dodge City, Great Bend, Hutchinson, Kansas City, Kan., Lenexa, Liberal, Newton, Paola, Pratt and Wichita. Soldiers of the 2nd Bn., 130th FA conducted their ceremony in Abilene, Clay Center, Hiawatha, Holton, Kansas City, Marysville and Ottawa.
Battery A, 2nd Bn., 130th FA was called to attention on the drill floor of the Holton armory at 10 a.m. With one of the unit’s M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket System, the U.S. Army’s light multiple rocket launcher, as a back drop, the soldiers watched the video prepared for the ceremony. After an introduction by Campbell and Boring, the video explained the history and traditions behind shoulder patches and explained the significance of the new 635th RSG patch. Following the video, 1st Lt. Chris Koochel, the executive officer of Btry. A, and resident of Olathe, Kan., removed the sunflower patch from Rieschick and re-patched it with the new 635th RSG patch.
Koochel and Rieschick, re-patched each platoon sergeant’s patch. The platoon sergeants in turn re-patched the squad leaders, who in turned re-patched every member of their squad. This continued until every member was wearing the new patch.
“It is a great day to be in Alpha and the 635th RSG,” said Koochel. “It is great that we now have a distinctive patch that the Soldiers can be proud to wear.”
Pfc. Josiah Myers, an ammo handler and resupply vehicle driver from Elkhart, Kan., was impressed with the new patch.
The 635th RSG’s new patch is a trapezoidal cloth insignia with a buff and scarlet background and an ultramarine blue border. In the center is a five pointed blue star. The star suggests the command and control aspect of the group with five major elements of logistics-maintenance, supply, transportation, facilities and service.
The buff color represents the support units and the scarlet represents the 35th Division Artillery. The blue represents knowledge, power, integrity and seriousness of its ability to command.
| Date Taken: | 12.01.2012 |
| Date Posted: | 12.11.2012 12:05 |
| Story ID: | 99083 |
| Location: | HOLTON, KANSAS, US |
| Web Views: | 828 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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