The 731st Light Composite Truck Company at the Kansas Army National Guard Armory in Great Bend will host a Change of Command Ceremony at 10 a.m. on Sunday at the Armory located at 9571 B-29 Way where Capt. David Atkins will pass command over to 1st Lt. Adam Beckman.
“It is a honor to be taking over command of the unit I grew up in the Army with,” Beckman said. “It is a chance to influence and drive our training focus and build on what Capt. Atkins has already established and the great results and solid foundation he has set here.”
The ceremony will begin with the formation of troops, the invocation and the passing of the guideon or unit colors which represents the changing of one commander to the other.
Throughout military history, unit colors have marked the location of the commander on the battlefield and have served as a rallying point. In more recent times, the colors have come to symbolize the authority of command and responsibility.
The key to the ceremony is the passing of the unit’s guidon. The guidon represents not only the lineage and honor of the unit, but also the loyalty and unity of its soldiers.
“This is a new step in my career passing over command and moving on to my next duty station,” Atkins said. “I hate to go, I really got to know a great group of soldiers and had the honor to command them, but its part of the process.”
The commanders
Incoming commander 1st Lt.Adam Beckman
lst Lt. Beckman’s previous assignments include Executive officer, 1161st Forward Support Company; Operations Officer, 731st Transportation Company; Platoon Leader, Det. 2 731st Transportation Company.
1st Lt. Beckman enlisted into Det. 2 of the 731st Transportation Company, KSARNG in April of 2009.
Following basic training PFC Beckman enrolled in the Simultaneous Membership Program through the Kansas State University ROTC program where he earned a bachelor of science and was commissioned in 2011. His military education includes Transportation Basic Officer Leaders Course and Logisticians Captains Career Course.
lst Lt. Beckman’s awards include the Army Commendation Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and the Kansas State Emergency Service Medal.
He also works as the full-time Training Branch Chief in the KSARNG G-3 office.
Outgoing commander Capt. David Atkins
Capt. Atkins enlisted into the Kansas Army National Guard in Nov. of 2006. He served as a wheeled vehicle mechanic in the 170th Maintenance Company from 2006 until 2008. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in Ordnance on Aug. 23, 2008. Key assignments include Platoon Leader in the 170th Maintenance Company, Platoon Leader in the 778th Transportation Company and Maintenance Control Officer in the 995th Maintenance Company.
Among Capt. Atkins’ awards and decorations are The Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon,
Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal w/ M Device.
Capt. Atkins has a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from Fort Hays State University. His military education includes Army Basic Training, Advanced Individual Training, Accelerated Officer Candidate School, Basic Officer Leadership Course, Ordnance Basic Course, Platoon Level Leadership Course, and Company Level Pre-Command Course. He is an officer with the Wichita Police Department.
Capt. Atkins and his wife Michelle currently reside in Wichita.
