MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. – The Marines of 2nd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, “The Magnificent Bastards,” bid their commanding officer farewell and welcomed a returning officer to serve in his place during a change of command ceremony here, June 22.
Lieutenant Col. William H. Vivian relinquished command of 2nd Bn., 4th Marines, to Maj. Robert S. Weiler during the ceremony.
“For the past two years, I’ve been the luckiest bastard in the world,” said Vivian. “Now I’ll join the ranks of the luckiest old bastards in the world.”
Vivian assumed command of the battalion in July 2010 and led 2/4 during their deployment to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Vivian reflected fondly on his time with the battalion, recalling the last battalion operation 2/4 conducted in Afghanistan. It was the 25th anniversary of his enlistment in the Marine Corps, and his Marines successfully located and destroyed an improvised explosive device makers’ school. He said it was rewarding to see his Marines continue to achieve amazing things on his milestone day.
This will not be the first time Weiler has served with the Magnificent Bastards. In June, 2003, he served with the battalion as Weapons Company Commander. He led the company through a deployment to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and after the deployment, he continued to serve in the battalion as the battalion operations officer.
Weiler left the battalion in January 2006 and reported to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 24th Marine Regiment, where he assumed command of the company and deployed to Iraq once again.
Prior to returning to 2nd Bn., 4th Marines, Weiler was assigned to 1st Marine Logistics Group, where he served as an operational planner during two deployments to Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Weiler said that his previous experience serving with the battalion gives him an emotional connection to the Magnificent Bastards that other commanding officers could not have.
Vivian said that though he is sad to be leaving the battalion, he knows his Marines are in good hands.
“Rob, welcome home,” Vivian said to Weiler, “You are right where you belong.”