Ga. ARNG’s 248th Med Co Bids Farewell to Longtime Commander

Photo By Maj. William Carraway | Georgia Army National Guard Maj. Larry Williams, outgoing commander of the 248th Area Support Medical Company addresses Soldiers and family members of the 248th following his relinquishing of company command Dec. 9, 2018 in Marietta, Ga.  

MARIETTA, GA, UNITED STATES

12.09.2018

Story by Maj. William Carraway 

Georgia National Guard

Major Larry Williams relinquished command of the Marietta, Ga.-based 248th Area Support Medical Company to Capt. Latonya Hicks during a ceremony at the unit’s armory Dec 9, 2018. Friends, family and Soldiers of the 248th were on hand to witness the event and bid farewell to the unit’s longtime commander.

“Major Williams has given more to this company than anyone I can think of, said Lt. Col. Charles Curl, commander of Joint Task Force 781st (Chemical Biological, Radiological and Nuclear) in which the 248th serves. Curl noted that Williams had been in the unit since 2012 and had commanded the unit since 2014 through four battalion commanders.

“Your longevity shows how dedicated you are, how much confidence leaders have in you and shows just how hard you are to replace,” said Curl.

Williams enlisted in the Georgia Army National Guard in March 2000. He has served in a myriad of positions in the Georgia Guard including rotations as the medical operations officer for Company C, 148th Brigade Support Battalion and medical officer for the 2nd Battalion, 121st Infantry Regiment. While deployed to Iraq in 2006, Williams served as executive officer for Headquarters Company, 2-121. His next assignment will be with the Ga. ARNG’s Medical Command.

Williams thanked his family and Soldiers and recognized former State Command Sergeant Major Philip Stringfield for his friendship, mentorship and support.

“When I commissioned, (Stringfield) was one of the first people who talked to me at the armory,” said Williams. “To have him here with me to close out this milestone means a tremendous amount.”

Williams thanked his family for their sacrifice while he was deployed and otherwise engaged with the necessities of command.

“I have spent a lot of time away from home and I appreciate your support,” said Williams. “To my wife, for all the late nights, for all the times I fell asleep in the recliner with the computer in my lap, I appreciate your sacrifice.”

Replacing Williams, Capt. Latonya Hicks has served in various leadership positions in the 248th. A former enlisted Soldier, Hicks served as a health care specialist before commissioning in 2011. She served as the rear detachment commander for the company in 2015 and also served as the health services human resources officer for the Georgia Army National Guard’s medical command.

Hicks thanked Lt. Col. Curl for his confidence and support and thanked her family, particularly her husband Gabriel.

“He is my backbone,” said Hicks. “He continues to support me. He is active duty as well, but he always motivates me to do better and to strive for my dreams.”

Addressing the Soldiers of her new command, Hicks noted her long association with the unit.

“We have been on convoy together,” said Hicks. “I understand your role, I understand your sacrifice and I understand your mission, and I am honored to have been selected for this position.”

• Date Taken: 12.09.2018
• Date Posted: 12.09.2018 19:03
• Story ID: 302758
• Location: MARIETTA, GA, US