Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, Calif. -- Marines, sailors, friends and family of 3rd Light Armored Reconnaissance Battalion gathered for a change of command ceremony at Lance Cpl. Torrey L. Gray Field Dec. 19.
The attendees braved the cold and windy day to see Lt. Col. Mark Clingan relinquish command of 3rd LAR to Lt. Col. Matt Good.
In 2004, Good was the Headquarters and Service Company Commander for 3rd LAR. Clingan and the rest of the unit welcomed him back to the unit as their new battalion commander.
“Matt and Julie Good welcome back to the ‘Wolf Pack’” Clingan said. “I hate to leave only after 18 to 19 months of command but I know the battalion is going to be in great hands with you and your leadership.”
Clingan spoke in front of the crowd and thanked his wife, family and command for their support. He spoke to the Marines of the battalion and said his goodbyes to them and thanked them for their hard work during his time there.
“Lastly I’ll turn to the Marines of the ‘Wolf Pack,’” Clingan said. “Those that deployed to Afghanistan, you definitely made a difference. You made a difference to the security of our nation. You also made a difference to the legacy of our Corps. Just remember, the strength of the wolf is the pack and the strength of the pack is the wolf.”
Good kept his speech short to accommodate for the cold weather.
“I know the ground rule for these things limit the new guy to 500 words but given the conditions I think I’ll take it down to 300,” Good said. “I want to use my 300 words as a expression of gratitude.”
The new commander addressed the former commander and his new Marines.
“You hold the knowledge of not only how to be light armored reconnaissance, but how to conduct light armored reconnaissance and to do so like no one else in the world,” Good said.
Good was accompanied by his family at the ceremony. His parents, wife and four children were on hand to see him take command of his new battalion. He thanked them for their support and for being present at the ceremony.
He addressed his Marines and sailors last, telling them of his privilege to serve with them and get to know them in the near future.