On Sunday, July 12th, 2020, at 1100 EST, Soldiers and families around the country gathered virtually to attend the 4th Battalion, 413th Regiment Senior ROTC Battalion Change of Command Ceremony between Outgoing Commander, Lt. Col. Reginald Eggleston, and Incoming Commander, Lt. Col. Pamela Gilbert. The ceremony, narrated by Cpt. Jordan Chick, included remarks by both commanders as well as the Brigade Commander, Col. Jens Hansen.
Lt. Col. Eggleston remarked how under his leadership the 4-413th Battalion “made strides in readiness metrics, recruiting and retention, and mission support to universities and Cadets.” He led a successful annual training event at Fort Knox in 2019 for over 140 Soldiers. His implementation of monthly OPSYNC calls between section leaders and region leadership opened communication across the geographically-dispersed battalion. Over his two years in command, the 4-413th Battalion supported 82 programs and trained over 10,000 cadets. In the midst of a pandemic, he implemented four virtual battle assemblies, each with seamless virtual training led by adjunct instructors from universities across the eastern states. In two years, despite all obstacles, Lt. Col. Eggleston pulled the 4-413th Battalion into the #1 position in the Brigade and Division.
Col. Hansen expressed an accurate description of Lt. Col. Eggleston: “You never lost your nerve, you always had a plan, and you never allowed an obstacle to stop you.” The Brigade Commander extended thanks to Lt. Col. Eggleston’s wife, Regina, describing the couple as a “team of equals.” He remarked on Lt. Col. Eggleston’s superior ability to balance his role as commander with his civilian position as Superintendent of Geary County Schools in Junction City, KS.
Lt. Col. Eggleston’s absence will be greatly felt across the Battalion; Soldiers of the 4-413th Battalion agreed with the Brigade Commander when he said he is “better for having worked with [him].”
Col. Hansen closed by offering a warm welcome to the incoming commander and reaffirming his tradition of leadership through support and empowerment to Gilbert who also expressed energy and enthusiasm and is “eager to join the team.”