Regular Army Officer Commanding Iowa ARNG Cavalry Squadron

, Iowa National Guard Public Affairs Officer

LTC Timothy C. Touzinsky recently became only the second active duty Army officer to assume command of an Army National Guard battalion-sized element in the modern era of the Guard. During the change of command ceremony recently conducted at the squadron’s headquarters in Sioux City, Iowa, Touzinsky received the colors of the 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry, from MG Rodney Hannula, 34th Infantry Division commander. MG George H. Harmeyer, Commanding General of the United States Armor Center and Fort Knox, attended the ceremony.

The first active duty officer to assume command of a Guard battalion was LTC John Hennigan, who assumed command of the 1st Battalion, 141st Field Artillery, Louisiana Army National Guard, a year ago. Just prior to the change of command ceremony, Touzinsky was sworn into the Iowa Army National Guard. The “red bull” shoulder patch was already sewn on his BDUs. As the ceremony was about to begin, he commented, “What a perfect setting to begin my assignment in the Iowa National Guard. The backdrop of the cornfield is the roots of this state. There along the reviewing stand are the fighting vehicles we will train with, and may have to fight with. This is perfect!” ‘Old Bill,’ the mounted cavalry soldier, was also part of the ceremony. F-16 fighters from the Iowa Air Guard’s 185th Fighter Wing and a Cobra attack helicopter from one of his own air troops conducted flyovers during the ceremony.

Touzinsky has served in a variety of command and staff assignments in the United States, and Korea. His most recent assignment was as the Inspector General for the United States Army ROTC Cadet Command at Fort Monroe, Va. Touzinsky’s new command is an important part of the Army Chief of Staff’s program to enhance the cooperation and interoperability between the Army and the National Guard. This program will result in a better mutual understanding of each component and closer interoperability during future operations. Cross-assignments such as this will provide active duty officers with first-hand experience in leading and training National Guard units. They will provide the National Guard with an opportunity to learn from the Active Duty officer’s skills and experiences. “It’s the idea that I’m not here helping,” Touzinsky said, “but rather, I’m part of the organization. I’m here to command and lead. It’s not a helping thing. My assignment will provide a valuable mutual benefit for the Army and the National Guard. The unit will benefit from what the Army has taught me. The soldiers will benefit by knowing their leaders are enforcing Army standards.”

“This isn’t a matter of whether we have capable Iowa Guard officers to command the 1st Squadron,” said Iowa National Guard Adjutant General Warren G. Lawson, “Because we do. The situation is that the regulars don’t know enough about the Guard and we don’t know enough about them. The reluctance of the regulars in accepting the Reserve Components comes from their lack of understanding of our capabilities.”

Touzinsky’s command assignment, and those of other highly competent Regular Army officers, will enable them to go on to future active duty assignments and educate others in the Active Component about who the National Guard is, and how we are part of ‘America’s Army’,” added Lawson. “I think this is a huge step in closing the communications gap between the Army and the National Guard,” continued Lawson. “I’m glad the Iowa National Guard can be a leader in this very important process. I’m anxious to have the regulars join our Iowa team.” “From what I can tell, everyone from General Lawson on down to the soldiers on the ground is excited about a Regular Army guy coming in,” Touzinsky said. “‘New blood will be good’ is the way it was described.” Touzinsky will serve a two-year command tour with the Iowa Army Guard. The command will then revert back to an Iowa Guard officer.

The Iowa Army Guard recently assigned two Regular Army majors into its organization. MAJ Marvin Russell will serve as the 109th Aviation Battalion’s support operations officer. MAJ Ivan Bradley will be the maintenance operations officer of the 734th Maintenance Battalion.

The 1st Squadron, 113th Cavalry’s roots go back to prior to World War II. The squadron was mobilized for federal active duty in January 1941 as a horse-mounted cavalry reconnaissance regiment. They were soon transitioned to mechanized equipment and were part of the D-Day invasion at Normandy. While Touzinsky noted the 1st Squadron’s distinguished honors and lineage, he also spoke of his expectations for the squadron. “I expect us to be trained and ready to meet our federal and state missions,” he said, “and to meet all of our soldier recruiting and retention goals.”

Touzinsky’s 650-soldier squadron is headquartered in Sioux City, Iowa. It has ground and air cavalry troops at Camp Dodge, Lemars, Sioux Center, and Waterloo, Iowa.

LTC Touzinsky receives the squadron colors from MG Rodney Hannula, 34th Infantry Division Photo: MAJ Allen Bloemendahl PIN: 076850-000