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Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center
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Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer (left) receives command of 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion from Lt. Col. John Sullivan (right) during the unit's change of command ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Nov. 16. Behind the ceremony stood three platoons of 3rd CEB Marines, waiting to welcome their new commander.

Photo by Lance Cpl. Ali Azimi

3rd CEB welcomes new leader

23 Nov 2012 | Lance Cpl. Ali Azimi Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms

Lt. Col. Brian Dwyer received command of 3rd Combat Engineer Battalion from Lt. Col. John Sullivan during the unit's change of command ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Nov. 16. 

A change of command ceremony is more than the transfer of leadership from one commander to the next, it also gives Marines a chance to look back on all they have accomplished.

Three platoons of 3rd CEB Marines marched onto the field in formation as they prepared for a change of leadership. Behind them waved 50 flags, representing the 50 states and 3rd CEB’s military vehicles parked at the edge of the field.

“Today is bitter sweet for me,” said Sullivan. “Bitter because command is a high honor and as I think about all the accomplishments of the battalion. It’s sweet at the same time.”

Dwyer attributed the great condition of the battalion to Sullivan’s command over the past few years. Without shadow of a doubt, this battalion is far better off than it was when he first took command, he said.

“I’ve had the privilege of watching this command for the past couple of years when it was reactivated and its growth over the past three battalion commanders,” Dwyer continued. “I whole-heartedly accept this responsibility and look forward to it.”

After the change of command was complete, Sullivan took his place on the field where he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal in lieu of 2nd Award for his extraordinary service as commander of 3rd CEB.

“A concern an outgoing commander has is, you want to make sure you are turning over your unit, your Marines and sailors, to someone who is going to take good care of them. I am confident that my former classmate and friend, Lt. Col. Dwyer, is going to do a great job,” Sullivan said. “I walk away with a lot of pride knowing we’ve accomplished a great deal together.”
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Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms