Wednesday, Jun. 08, 2011

2nd Bn., 19th Inf. Regt. changes command

Lt. Col. Kevin Butler replaced Lt. Col. Thomas Sheehan as commander of the 2nd Battalion, 19th Infantry Regiment, during a change of command ceremony Thursday at Kanell Field.

Col. Bruce Parker, commander of the 198th Infantry Brigade and reviewing officer, said Kanell Field was named in honor of Pvt. Billie Kanell, who was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor during the Korean War.

Kanell was killed in action in 1951 while defending a position with two other Soldiers. “His actions symbolize those specific traits that our drill sergeants introduce to every Infantryman that graduates OSUT — a warrior ethos of discipline, fitness and teamwork,” he said.

Parker said Butler has a great reputation as a leader, warrior and trainer.

“(The Butlers) are no strangers to Sand Hill — (Butler) served here as the brigade S3 and DCO for almost two years,” Parker said.

Butler said he looked forward to being commander of the battalion.

“Having been in the 198th Infantry Brigade for some time, I’ve had the opportunity to witness firsthand the professionalism and dedication of the officers, NCOs, Soldiers and civilians who have earned this battalion a well-deserved reputation for excellence,” he said.

Parker said a commander is responsible for the discipline, training and well-being of the unit. The job of a commander is at times challenging and unforgiving, but it is rewarding how one person can affect many lives, like Sheehan has done.

“(Sheehan) has always taken the toughest jobs and this one was no different. He has led the formation from the front and worked as a team player all the way as the senior battalion commander in the brigade,” Parker said.

As the outgoing commander, Sheehan said he had a firm belief that an officer or leader should create a climate that allows Soldiers to be able to flourish and make the spectacular look routine every day.

“There is a picture that hangs on the wall in my office that was given to me by my battalion commander when I was a young company commander that reads: ‘The art of leadership, the art of command, whether the forces be large or small — is the art of dealing with humanity. Only the officer who dedicates his thought and energy to his men can convert into coherent military force, their desire to be of service to their country,’” Sheehan said.

Parker said the battalion has made large contributions to the Army over the past two years, specifically with the introduction of mental skills training for cadre and trainees, “which has literally been a game-changer for us in performance and the cornerstone for the (commanding general’s) Resiliency Program within MCoE.”