Photo By Kendall James | Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general of Oklahoma passes the guidon of the 189th...... read more read more
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OKLAHOMA CITY – The 189th Regiment, known as the Oklahoma Regional Training Institute, reached a new historical milestone for the state this month as Col. Cynthia Tinkham became the first female to have a major command in the Oklahoma Army National Guard.
Tinkham, who is from Oklahoma City, formally accepted her new leadership position during the 189th Regiment’s Change of Command ceremony early this month at the unit’s headquarters in Oklahoma City. Maj. Gen. Myles Deering, adjutant general for Oklahoma, presided over the traditional transfer of the colors between the outgoing commander, Col. Curtis Bohlman of Luther, Oklahoma, and Tinkham.
“Col. Tinkham is always there, always ready and always standing tall — She has the attitude that will carry this organization forward,” Deering said. “You couldn’t ask for a better Soldier than Col. Tinkham, and she is going to do a lot of great things here.”
The 189th Regiment traces its lineage prior to 1925 under the designation of the 189th Field Artillery Battalion, a unit renowned for its support of the 45th Infantry Division during World War II and the Korean War. Today, it serves as an award-winning military training and education installation, having earned the “Institute of Excellence” distinction by the U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command under Bohlman’s leadership. Tinkham said it is an honor and a privilege to serve the Soldiers of the regiment.
“I will do my utmost to lead this regiment in a positive direction in a manner that meets the expectations of leadership, so we may build an enduring, ethical and excellent organization,” Tinkham said. “I look forward to working with (the Soldiers) as we seek ways to enhance our capabilities and carry the proud lineage of the 189th Regiment into the future.”
Tinkham enlisted in the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1989 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant through Officer Candidate School in 1991. She has served in several positions throughout her career, which include 645th Personnel Services Company commander, 90th Troop Command executive officer, assistant professor of military science at the University of Oklahoma and multiple titles at Oklahoma’s Joint Force Headquarters.
She deployed to Afghanistan in 2009 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, serving as the executive officer of the 45th Agribusiness Development Team. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Central Oklahoma and a Master of Human Relations from the University of Oklahoma.
In her first address to her new Soldiers, she expressed gratitude towards the leadership for having the confidence to provide her with the “great opportunity to lead an organization that has an important mission and such proud and honored roots.” She added that it was an honor to follow “in the footsteps of a great officer” such as Bohlman.
Bohlman, who is retiring after 32 years of service, described Tinkham as “tough, fair, caring, studious and intelligent,” and said she will do well as she takes “command of an excellent organization.” In his final message to the regiment, he said the individuals he worked with “are simply the best of the best.”
“You are the most professional group I have had the privilege of working with during my 32-year career,” he said to the Soldiers standing before him. “Together, we have many accomplishments to be proud of over the past years, for all of which I owe you all a debt of gratitude.”
The retiring colonel enlisted into the Oklahoma Army National Guard in 1982 and commissioned through the Oklahoma Officer Candidate School in 1986. His past assignments include serving as commander of the Recruiting Retention Battalion, director of personnel for the Oklahoma Army National Guard, and assistant professor of military science at East Central University.
He deployed to Afghanistan with the 45th Infantry Brigade as part of Combined Joint Task Force Phoenix in 2003. He holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Central Oklahoma, Master of Education from East Central University and a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.
At the ceremony, Bohlman was awarded the Oklahoma Distinguished Service Medal “in recognition of exceptional meritorious service” during his time as commander, citing his “unparalleled devotion to duty, leadership and personal sacrifice” that helped the regiment to earn the “Institute of Excellence” distinction. Bohlman said the organization’s success was because of the Soldiers, who “keep things moving forward.”
“I simply could not have asked for a more rewarding final assignment,” Bohlman said.
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2014 11:18 |
| Story ID: | 133353 |
| Location: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US |
| Hometown: | LUTHER, OK, US |
| Hometown: | OKLAHOMA CITY, OK, US |
| Web Views: | 224 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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