Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Jonathan Wright | Col. Timothy S. Mundy (right), outgoing commanding officer of School of Infantry -...... read more read more
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CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. - Every single Marine on the battlefield or in garrison have two things in common: they are all indeed Marines, but they also have all gone through some sort of combat school following their time in recruit training. Be it the Infantry Training Battalion or the Marine Combat Training Battalion, every Marine has stepped through the gates of either Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton or Camp Geiger to learn how, despite respective military occupational specialties, to fight in this country’s greatest fighting force.
Col. Timothy S. Mundy, the man who has overseen half of this training, that of the School of Infantry - East, for the past two years, relinquished his position to Col. Barry J. Fitzpatrick during a change of command ceremony aboard Camp Geiger, Aug. 5.
“If you know me, you know I can’t stop talking about how proud I am of this school and the approximate 20,000 students that come through here annually,” said Mundy. “This school, these instructors, these Marines, they all perform an incredible function for this country, and it’s been a real privilege to work and serve with fine Marines like yourselves.”
Coming into the position of commanding officer of SOI-EAST in June of 2009, Mundy has been at the helm for a variety of improvements and changes in curriculum designed to better prepare the Marines for whatever they may face in the Fleet Marine Force. Before coming into his recent position, Mundy served as deputy chief of plans for Plans Division, United States Special Operations Command. Following his change of command, Mundy will transfer to 2nd Marine Division.
“I don’t have to tell you how motivated I am to be taking charge here,” said Fitzpatrick. “Being deployed for the past year, I’ve seen the end products of the Marines coming out of here, and these young Marines are doing astounding things out there.”
Deploying with I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) in 2009, Fitzpatrick has previously served as assistant chief of staff for operations before being chosen to become the 14th commanding officer of SOI-EAST. His career began in May of 1986 upon graduation from the United States Naval Academy, where he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, aboard Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, Calif., prior to being transferred to the 1st Marine Division. He served as a platoon commander where he participated in Operation Earnest Will in the Persian Gulf.
“I will keep doing what [Mundy] and our predecessors have been doing, because as it has proved time and time again it works,” said Fitzpatrick. “For those of you in training, we will continue to provide the best warrior training in the world to keep on writing the pages of history - that I can promise you.”
Mundy was also awarded the Legion of Merit, presented to him by his father, retired General Carl E. Mundy, 30th commandant of the Marine Corps.
As Mundy continues his Marine Corps career across the river at 2nd Marine Division, he may rest easy knowing that Fitzpatrick will do all he can to ensure the Marines receive the best training for whatever their futures hold. However, it is unlikely Mundy will completely put SOI-EAST in his past.
“I am proud now, and I will be forever proud,” said Mundy. “I’ll always be watching this school from afar.”
| Date Taken: | 08.05.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 08.10.2011 12:56 |
| Story ID: | 75123 |
| Location: | CAMP LEJEUNE, NC, US |
| Web Views: | 1,899 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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