Wounded Warrior Regiment welcomes new leader

QUANTICO, Va. - The Wounded Warrior Regiment bid farewell to its first commander and welcomed a new leader Thursday during a change of command ceremony at the National Museum of the Marine Corps.

"I have enjoyed every single minute I've worn this Marine uniform and would gladly do it again," said the WWR's outgoing commander Col. Gregory Boyle, who also retired after three decades of service to the nation and Corps.

Boyle turned over command of the regiment to Col. John L. Mayer during the time-honored ceremony.

"I'm deeply honored in the trust and confidence that's been placed in my ability to take care of our most precious asset and that's of course the Marines and sailors, the men and women of this great country," Mayer said. "I will take as good care of these Marines and sailors as I would my family."

Mayer found out just two months ago that he would be the WWR's new commander.

"All you have to do is mention Wounded Warrior Regiment and people's ears perk up, all of a sudden it changes the dynamics of the conversation and everybody wants to be part of and somehow support these great Marines and sailors," he said.

Boyle, who stood up the regiment in April of 2007, was sitting in cubicle at the Marsh Center aboard Marine Corps Base Quantico when he got the call three years ago asking if he would lead the newly-established regiment, said Lt. Gen. Richard C. Zilmer, deputy commandant, Manpower and Reserve Affairs.

"This job requires vision and it requires personal intervention at the beginning, the middle, and the end for our Marines as they begin their transition from wounded, ill and injured," he noted. "This is a very special command that has been led by a very special team over the past three years."

Boyle called his role as commanding officer of the WWR "the toughest job that I've had in the Marine Corps, without a doubt. But its also been the most personally satisfying and rewarding job that I have had in my 29 year career, to be about to support our wounded, ill and injured and everyday feel like you're making a difference in their lives and helping to set them up for future success."

Zilmer read a list of the regiment's accomplishments under Boyle, which included the establishment of Wounded Warrior Battalion-East at Camp Lejeune, N.C., Wounded Warrior Battalion-West at Camp Pendleton, Calif., the opening of the Sgt. Merlin German Wounded Warrior Call Center in Dumfries, memorandums of understanding with the Marine Corps and the Veteran's Administration and several family support programs.

Boyle noted that it was Marine Commandant Gen. James T. Conway's vision to establish the regiment and that the support of senior leadership has been key to its success. Boyle added that throughout his career all he ever wanted to do was to serve and lead Marines.

"That's all I've attempted to do over the past three years is to serve you and help you out," he said to the wounded, ill and injured Marines and sailors and families in the audience. "I have been so impressed with your courage, with your espirit de corps and your toughness to overcome any challenge and I have to say its been an honor to serve you and it has been the highlight of my career."

Before the change of command ceremony began, Boyle presented the Wounded Warriors Games Chairman's Cup to Commandant James T. Conway. The games took place in May at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo. Wounded warriors from all branches of the armed forces competed against each other in various athletic events and the Marine Corps team finished in first place.

For more information on the WWR, visit woundedwarriorregiment.org.