Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
New colonel at helm of artillery unit
FORT CHAFFEE — Col. Gregory Bacon said Saturday that it was humbling to take command of the third largest National Guard unit in the state.
“Any time you’re in a command position, directly responsible for the lives of soldiers, it’s an awesome responsibility,” Bacon said after a change of command ceremony at Fort Chaffee. “I don’t take it lightly.”
Bacon assumed responsibility for the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade in a change of command ceremony Saturday on the parade field at Fort Chaffee.
As many as 900 soldiers representing the brigade’s three battalions stood in formation across the field. Brig. Gen. Patricia Anslow walked to the center of a grassy green field, flanked by outgoing commander Col. Troy Galloway and Bacon.
Nine blank rounds were fired from three howitzers — each loud blast accompanied by billowing white smoke. The blasts preceded a traditional passing of the colors presentation that symbolized the transfer of authority from Galloway to Bacon. The presentation included Galloway handing a flag to Anslow, and Anslow passing it to Bacon.
A similar presentation took place as part of a change of responsibility ceremony with Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Schroeder, outgoing senior enlisted leader, relinquishing his duties to Command Sgt. Maj. Anthony “Tony” Rice, the new senior enlisted leader for the brigade.
“It marks a great turning point for the 142nd Field Artillery Brigade,” said Maj. Gen. William “Bill” Wofford, the adjutant general of Arkansas. Wofford has responsibility for the entire Arkansas National Guard.
Wofford said that under Galloway the brigade increased its level of individual readiness to an all-time high, which requires soldiers to be healthy, trained and ready to respond. Bacon has spent time in the brigade, knows the soldiers and served in combat with Galloway.
Galloway enlisted in the Missouri Air National Guard in 1985 as an aircraft weapons specialist. He completed an ROTC program at Missouri State University and was commissioned in 1990
as a second lieutenant in field artillery. He joined the Arkansas National Guard in 1991 and was assigned to the 142nd.
Galloway still remembers the thrill of waking up early in the morning as a young artillery lieutenant and joining soldiers on the field to fire old 8-inch howitzers, he said.
“That certainly planted the seeds for the passion I have for this organization,” said Galloway, who attended the ceremony with his family.
Galloway commanded the 142nd for three years. Galloway, who also is the community development director for Bentonville, will become the director of the joint staff for the Joint Forces headquarters in Little Rock.
Bacon enlisted in 1985 and trained as a light-wheeled vehicle mechanic. He was encouraged to attend officer candidate school in 1990 and was commissioned a second lieutenant. A senior tactical officer persuaded him to try the artillery branch of the Army National Guard.
Bacon has worked in various capacities at Camp Robinson, the National Guard headquarters, but has served with the 142nd in the past. That included an assignment from 2007 to 2008 when the 142nd was mobilized to go to Iraq. He is an executive offi- cer for Wofford.
Becky Bacon-Cox, Bacon’s mother, wished that Bacon’s late father, Paul Bacon, a sergeant first class for the National Guard, could have seen their son become commander of the 142nd.
“He’s always made us proud,” Bacon-Cox said of her son.
Paul Bacon instilled in their two sons, Jeff and Greg, the importance of serving their country, said Bacon-Cox of Dover, who was among several of Greg Bacon’s family members at the ceremony.
The sense of camaraderie and friendship that develops among soldiers has stayed with Greg Bacon since he enlisted, but he continues to serve, knowing that his new responsibilities will require more personal sacrifice and time away from family, he said.
“It’s being a part of something bigger than yourself,” Bacon said. “These soldiers deserve our best. These soldiers are worth it.”