CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. (CLARKSVILLENOW) – One of U.S. Army Recruiting Command’s most successful companies has a new leader after a change of command ceremony at Fortera Stadium on the Austin Peay State University campus.
Captain Samuel M. Robertson took the mantle of command from outgoing commander Capt. Rebekah Thomas during the ceremony presided over by Lt. Col. Rick Frank, incoming commander for the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Nashville. The company’s soldiers were standing in formation as the unit colors were passed from Thomas to Robertson signifying the change in leadership.
“It is a renewal and a reminder that the Army keeps rolling along,” Frank said. “People change, but the mission remains constant: to find and recruit qualified young men and women to fill our Army and serve this great nation.”
Anchored by the Clarksville Recruiting Center, the company also consists of recruiting centers in Dickson and Paris and western Kentucky centers in Hopkinsville and Paducah. The company has 39 Army recruiters in its ranks who handle recruiting duties for both the Regular Army and Army Reserve in their assigned communities.
Prior to the ceremony, Thomas was presented with a Meritorious Service Medal for her 27 months in command. During Fiscal Year 17, Clarksville Company was the only one of 237 recruiting companies nationwide to achieve “precision mission,” which means accomplishing recruiting goals in every demographic category.
Under Thomas’ leadership, Clarksville Company enlisted more than 700 soldiers into the Regular Army and more than 100 soldiers into the Army Reserve.
“These kind of impressive numbers just don’t happen,” Frank said. “They are driven by leadership.”
Like Thomas, Robertson comes to Clarksville Company from nearby Fort Campbell, Ky. He was a fire direction officer with 3-320 FA, Division Artillery, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault).
Robertson is 2011 graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. A New York native, he is a field artillery officer by trade who played rugby collegiately for the Knights.
“I’m excited to join your team,” Robertson said. “And earn the right to be called your commander.”
Clarksville Company is one of seven recruiting companies belonging to the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Nashville. The battalion will also undergo a change of leadership on June 20 when Frank will succeed Lt. Col. Kevin Polosky in command.
For more information about Army opportunities stop by the Clarksville U.S. Army Recruiting Center at 3031 Wilma Rudolph Blvd., or call (931) 647-1708. You can talk to a recruiter any time at www.GoArmy.com, and the Army is active on most social media sites.