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Indiana Regional Training Institute Change of Command

By Sgt. Will Hill, Camp Atterbury Public Affairs

CAMP ATTERBURY JOINT MANEUVER TRAINING CENTER, Ind. - The winter weather did not stop the show for Lt. Col. David Roberts who took command of the 138th Regiment Indiana Regional Training Institute General Studies Battalion in a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center Saturday.

Roberts succeeded Lt. Col. Marcus Thomas, who will join the 76th Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

The 138th Regiment Indiana Regional Training Institute commander, Col. Paul Grube, spoke encouraging words about Roberts to family, friends and Soldiers of the 138th RTI.

"You will find this is a guy of just common sense. If you bring him a problem he will find the common sense solution," said Grube. "We are lucky to have him." In his career Roberts has held many positions to include rifle platoon leader with Bravo Company 1st Battalion 151st Infantry and anti-armor platoon leader for Delta Company 1st Battalion 151st Infantry. In 2006 he was deployed to Afghanistan with the 76th Infantry Brigade Combat Team.

Col. Paul Grube, the 138th Regiment Indiana Regional Training Institute commander passes the flag to Lt. Col. David Roberts, the commander of 138th RTI General Studies Battalion during a change-of-command ceremony at Camp Atterbury Joint Maneuver Training Center. Lt. Col. Marcus Thomas is the outgoing commander who will join the 76th Brigade Special Troops Battalion.

Roberts enlisted in the Army National Guard in 1988 at Fort Knox, Ken., completed ROTC through the University of Louisville and graduated with a bachelor's degree in engineering. Roberts later earned a master's in both mechanical engineering and business administration.

During the ceremony, Thomas, the outgoing commander, said his goodbye to the members of the RTI staff.

"This is bittersweet for me. These last couple of years being at the RTI has come full circle because my career started here at the RTI as an officer candidate so I found my way back here working among the command staff," said Thomas. "It has been an honor and a blessing."

After saying goodbye to the command staff, he said words of reassurance to Roberts, the incoming commander.

"Dave, I leave this in your hands and I know you will do a great job. I have no doubt that Dave is the man and will be the commander you all will need to have to get things done," he said.

In closing, Roberts spoke words of encouragement to the Soldiers of 138th RTI.

"I would like to start off by thanking my family for supporting me over the years," said Roberts. "I also would like to thank General Tooley and Colonel Grube for this opportunity and the faith they have in me to lead you guys. I am extremely excited to be here and working with each and everyone one of you. I sincerely mean that and God bless America."