Photo By Staff Sgt. Bradley Cooney | Col. John Muller, commander of 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard,...... read more read more
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BRAGGS, Okla.--- Families, distinguished guests and members of the 120th Engineer Battalion, 90th Troop Command, Oklahoma Army National Guard, gathered at Camp Gruber Training Center on 14 June to welcome a new commander while bidding a fond farewell to the outgoing commander.
For four years, Lt. Col. Lars Ostervold, outgoing 120th Engineer Battalion Commander, has been at the helm of the prestigious unit.
“It has been an amazing opportunity," Ostervold said. “As I have mentioned to my folks, the best job in the world is at the company level. So to have the opportunity to oversee what those companies do has been amazing.”
While under his command, the 120th has made great strides in weapons qualifications and mission readiness. Having sent units to Iowa, Indiana, and even Puerto Rico, they provided aid and have become more proficient in their craft.
“The growth of this Battalion over the four years that I’ve been here has been amazing to watch,” Ostervold said. “I look at it as I’ve been blessed to be a part of that.”
Ostervold will be the first to tell you that he cannot take credit for the massive accomplishments over his 4-year command of the 120th.
“I truly believe it takes a village to make it all work,” Ostervold said. “It’s not just about the engineers - the sustainers, the personnel folks and all the support it takes for us to be successful. It takes all of us working together to do it. Leaders come and go, I just try to make it better.”
And now with the leaving of Ostervold, the 120th will be welcoming their new battalion commander, Maj. Francine Tryon.
Tryon did not start off her career as an officer.
“I came in as enlisted and thought I would come up through the enlisted ranks,” Tryon said. “I thought at one point that I would at least make sergeant first class or master sergeant, I never thought of being commissioned.”
But in 1995, an officer encouraged her to join the ranks of the officer corps, which put her career path on a different trajectory.
“It’s amazing," Tryon said. “I came here [120th] in 2010 and didn’t know anything about the engineers. Since day one, they have welcomed me.”
Tryon expressed a great deal of admiration for the 120th and excitement for becoming their battalion commander.
“The engineers are good about supporting each other,” Tryon said. “They have a great core of leaders and Soldiers who always come together.”
Bonds are built, memories are made, and the legacy of the 120th Engineer Battalion lives on through the hard work and dedication of leaders like Otservold and Tryon.
“I know the Battalion is being placed in good hands,” Ostervold said. “I have full faith and confidence in her because we have worked together before and she is an amazing leader.”
| Date Taken: | 06.14.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 06.21.2018 14:18 |
| Story ID: | 280997 |
| Location: | CAMP GRUBER, OKLAHOMA, US |
| Web Views: | 184 |
| Downloads: | 2 |
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