By Spc. Qualan M. Jefferson
Louisiana Army and Air National Guard
SHREVEPORT, La. – B Troop, 2nd Squadron, 108th Cavalry Regiment Commander 1st Lt. Tom H. Mesloh of Bossier City, La., relinquished command to 1st Lt. Stan G. Westmoreland of Shreveport, La., during a change of command ceremony, Dec. 5.
In front of his troops, family and friends, Westmoreland received the troop guidon, symbolizing of the passing of command from the outgoing to the incoming commander.
"I began my career as a private in B Company, 1st Battalion, 156th Armor Regiment, so being able to command B Troop 2/108th Cav. is like coming full circle for me," said Westmoreland.
Westmoreland enlisted in the Louisiana Army National Guard in 1996 as a tanker shortly before graduating from Caddo Magnet High School in Shreveport, La. He received a Bachelor of General Studies degree from Louisiana State University at Shreveport in 2001.
After obtaining the rank of sergeant and serving as a gunner on an M1A1 Abrams tank, Westmoreland decided to attend Officer Candidate School to earn his commission.
During his deployment in 2004 with the 256th Infantry Brigade Combat Team in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Westmoreland served as a platoon leader for the attached 1st Battalion, 69th Infantry Regiment from the New York National Guard.
"I appreciate our Squadron Commander, Lt. Col. William T. Rachal, for the confidence he has shown in me for allowing me to lead this troop and I couldn't ask for a better group of men to lead," said Westmoreland.
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