Juggernaut soldiers welcome new leader in Kunduz province

Photo By Spc. Jazz Burney | U.S. Army 1st Lt. Zachary Willey, the executive officer of A Company with 40th Engineer Battalion, 170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team, reads as the master of ceremonies during a change of command ceremony here Oct. 6, 2011. Capt. Ronald Schroeder relinquished his command to Capt. Nicholas Barry after 11 months leading the soldiers of Juggernaut Company.  

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, AFGHANISTAN

10.06.2011

Story by Spc. Jazz Burney 

170th Infantry Brigade Combat Team

FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, Afghanistan - After leading U.S. Army soldiers with A Company, 40th Engineer Battalion for 11 months, Capt. Ronald Schroeder relinquished his command to Capt. Nicholas Barry during a change of command ceremony here Oct. 7.

Barry was commissioned as an engineer officer in May 2006. He deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2009 as a company executive officer with 37th Engineer Battalion.

"You are getting a very competent officer as your commander who understands what he is up against in Shir Khan," said Lt. Col. Matthew Eichburg, the 2nd Battalion, 18th Infantry Battalion commander. "And most importantly, he is equally motivated like your previous commander to take care of you and your families."

Inside a maintenance bay, the ceremony began with a playing of the Star Spangled Banner. Soldiers with Juggernaut Company stood in formation behind 1st Sgt. Matthew O'Brien, a Sacramento, Calif., native, now the A Company first sergeant.

"To the soldiers of Alpha, 40th: Thank you for your hard work during the change of command inventories. It was a lot of long, hot days in the sun, but I didn't hear a single complaint from any of you. Excellent work," Barry said during his incoming speech.

A Belvidere, N.J., native, Schroeder was commissioned as an engineer officer in 2004 from the U.S. Military Academy. He also commanded the company through two predeployment training events in Germany.

"I couldn't have asked for a better company, a group of fired up and motivated soldiers. You made the days worth getting up. So from the bottom of my heart, I say thank you," said Schroeder.

Combat engineers, mechanics, and medics with A Company conduct missions near Shir Khan border crossing point in northern Kunduz province.

• Date Taken: 10.06.2011
• Date Posted: 10.10.2011 02:56
• Story ID: 78265
• Location: FORWARD OPERATING BASE KUNDUZ, AF