MARINE CORPS AIR GROUND COMBAT CENTER TWENTYNINE PALMS, Calif. -- Lt. Col. Michael P. Hubbard relinquished command of 7th Marine Regiment to Col. Randall P. Newman in a change-of-command ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Sept. 30.
Hubbard, a native of Lynchburg, Va., assumed command in June and will continue to serve the regiment as its executive officer.
Newman, a native of Economy, Ind., came to the regiment from the Office of the Secretary of Defense where he served as a military assistant for the executive secretary of the Department of Defense.
After the invocation by Navy Lt. Cmdr. Andrew Wade, chaplain with Headquarters Company, 7th Marines and the marching on of the colors, Marines from Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, and 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, performed a manual of arms for Hubbard and Newman.
Once Sgt. Maj. Michael Kufchak, the regimental sergeant major, conducted the passing of command, Maj. Gen. Thomas D. Waldhauser, 1st Marine Division commanding general, addressed Newman, Hubbard and the audience.
Waldhauser thanked the Combat Center band for their opening performance, family members present and absent, and Hubbard for his work around the Combat Center as the regiment’s commanding officer, which included helping with the construction of an academic resource center in the Combat Center’s main exchange.
“Mike, we thank you for all you have done with 7th Marines,” said Waldhauser.
To end his remarks, Waldhauser welcomed Newman to the division.
“We look forward to you being part of the blue diamond and the 1st Marine Division,” said Waldhauser, a native of South St. Paul, Minn.
Once he was finished, Waldhauser passed the microphone to Hubbard, who thanked the local community, the base’s family readiness officers, the band, and his wife, Shazia.
Hubbard also made sure to thank the Marines and sailors of the regiment and asked them to give Newman the same effort they gave him as the commanding officer.
“It has been an honor to serve with you,” said Hubbard. “As Col. Newman takes over command, serve him as you did me.”
When Newman, whose personal decorations include the Bronze Star Medal with Combat V and gold star in lieu of second award, spoke, he thanked his family, his wife’s family, and his Marine Corps family, for whom Newman feels a great deal of respect for.
Newman, who is married to the former Hillary Dandrow of West Lafayette, Ind., also addressed the Marines of the regiment and told them his goal was to pull his weight and earn his place amongst them.
“It’s truly an honor to join your ranks,” said Newman, who was commissioned in December 1987 upon graduation from Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind.
Newman and Hubbard stood side-by-side for a pass and review of the regiment, “Anchors Aweigh,” and “The Marines Hymn,” before Newman, the 85th commanding officer of the Magnificent 7th Marines, was greeted and congratulated by the Marines, sailors and members of the Combat Center community.