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NEWS | July 22, 2020

Martin succeeds Hubbard as 183rd RTI commander

By MR.COTTON PURYEAR

RICHMOND, Va. — Col. Charles B. Martin, Jr., took command of the Fort Pickett-based 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institue from Col. Todd H. Hubbard July 19, 2020, at the Virginia National Guard Sgt. Bob Slaughter Headquarters at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, VNG Land Component Commander, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Hubbard to Martin. 

“The instructors we select for RTI have to be the best,” Gallagher said. “They have to be technically and tactically the best we have to offer because they are training our Soldiers. Which means it is a very demanding cohort to lead because they are all experts, all at the top of their game, and Todd was leading that. It is an incredibly difficult thing. Todd, thanks to not only his technical and tactical proficiency, but he is truly a humble leader, and that is really the right fit for that group at RTI.”

Gallagher credited the great talent at RTI and Hubbard’s leadership and strategic vision with achieving success in the Training and Doctrine Command accreditation process.

Hubbard shared how after taking command in 2018, the RTI leadership spent time refining their purpose statement and boiled it down to “we make Soldiers better.” He explained how Soldiers come to RTI knowing the basics to take courses to transition to from one military occupational skill to another, as well as taking courses to improve marksmanship skills and prepare for mobilizations.

“The RTI makes Soldiers better,” he said. “What a great purpose for an organization, and it was very rewarding to see RTI get the positive results for TRADOC.”
The RTI earned an accreditation score of 99.8% from TRADOC in 2019, and accomplishment Hubbard said represented many hours of work over a three-year period.
“RTI is not just about numbers, RTI is defined by people,” he said. “The team clearly impressed our evaluators and earned praise from TRADOC leadership.” 

Hubbard recognized his command team, staff and instructors by name for their great work while he was in command and acknowledged what a great impression they made.

Martin most recently served as the VNG joint operations officer.

“It is an honor and a privilege to take command of the 183rd Regiment,” Martin said. “To the Soldiers and leaders of the 183rd Regiment, we will continue to build off the successes you attained under COL Hubbard. We will balance the requirements from the Army School System as well as the Ready Virginia training that will maximize the value of our courses and the world-class training our instructors provide while bringing exceptional value to the Commonwealth of Virginia.”

Gallagher, Hubbard and Martin all recognized the vital support from the families and the critical role they play in supporting the Virginia National Guard.

Leaders Biographies

Hubbard began his military career in 1991 when he commissioned into the Virginia National Guard as an artillery officer after graduating from the Virginia Military Institute. During his 29 years of military service, Hubbard served in key staff and command positions, to include firing battery commander, headquarters battery commander, battalion operations officer, battalion executive officer, battalion commander, brigade fire support coordinator, division fire support coordinator, military engagement team commander, VNG joint exercise director, VNG joint operations director and regimental commander. He now serves full-time as the VNG director of operations. Hubbard’s military education includes Field Artillery Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Combined Arms and Services Staff School, the Command and General Staff Officer Course, Operational Electronic Warfare and the U.S. Army War College.

Martin joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 1994, serving first as an infantryman, before graduating from Virginia Officer Candidate School and being commissioned as an Engineer Officer in 1996. During his 26 years of military service, Martin served in key command and staff positions, to include engineer company commander, brigade engineer officer, battalion executive officer, 29th Infantry Division G5 chief of plans, engineer battalion commander and primary joint staff assignments at Joint Forces Headquarters – Virginia. Martin is a graduate of the Engineer Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Combined Arms and Service Staff School, Intermediate Level Education Course and the U.S. Army War College. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in History and Political Science from Longwood College and a Masters in Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College.

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