FORT PICKETT, Va. –
Col. Doyle Gillis, Jr., took command of the Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. K. Weedon Gallagher in a change of command ceremony Sept. 9, 2018, at Fort Pickett, Virginia. Brig. Gen. Lapthe C. Flora, the Virginia National Guard Assistant Adjutant General- Army, presided over the exchange of unit colors that represented the transfer of command from Gallagher to Gillis. The National Anthem was performed by Gillis’ daughter, Evan Renee Winter.
“The 329th Regional Support Group is an integral part of our combat readiness and national defense,” said Flora. “Gallagher had an incredibly successful command, overseeing the successful transition of multiple units, and served as the lead element to the mission support force at Fort Stewart, Georgia. I am very proud of the 329th RSG and its accomplishments.”
Gallagher provided remarks that highlighted the excellence of the 329th RSG over the past three years of his command. He also used this time to thank the many officers, NCO’s, colleagues, and family members, emphasizing the unwavering support of his wife, Anne. Finally, he ended his remarks, welcoming Col. Gillis and Mrs. Jami Gillis, home. Gillis previously served in the 529th and commanded the 1030th Transportation Battalion.
“I say with absolute confidence that the 329th RSG is trading up today,” said Gallagher. “You are in the steady, capable hands of a professional leader and Warrior who requires zero transition time.”
After Gallagher provided remarks, the Virginia National Guard recognized Gallagher with a Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding leadership as a commander and exceeded all expectations and readiness goals. Gallagher received multiple going away gifts from the Soldiers of the 329th to thank him for his outstanding leadership and superior allegiance to the Soldiers of the 329th while in command between the dates of July 2015 and September 2018.
“This Formation has left a thumbprint on my service,” said Gallagher. “You’ve made me a better follower and a better leader. And I thank you for it.”
Gillis provided remarks after the awards and gifts presentation. Gillis was commended by Flora as being one of very few who colonels who have earned this coveted command position. Flora stated that America’s sons and daughters deserve an outstanding leader and they will have that in Col. Gillis.
“It brings me great pleasure to come back home again,” Gillis said. “I thank Col. Gallagher for his leadership in the last three years.”
A reception in Gillis’ honor was hosted immediately following the ceremony.
Gillis currently serves as the Virginia Army National Guard’s deputy chief of staff for personnel at Fort Pickett in a full time status and will command the 329th in a traditional Guard status. Gallagher will be reassigned as the J8 resource management officer on the Virginia National Guard Joint Staff.
Gillis is a 1990 graduate of Christopher Newport University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Governmental Administration. He completed his Master of Public Administration in 1997 from Troy University and is a 2015 graduate of the U.S. Army War College. After serving on active duty and in the Army Reserve, Gillis joined the Virginia Army National Guard in 1989 and completed Virginia OCS in 1991.
His assignments include platoon leader, commander of Headquarters Battery, 1st Battalion, 111th Field Artillery Regiment, battalion intelligence officer and operations officer, brigade operations officer and battalion executive officer. He commanded the Gate City-based 1030th Transportation Battalion and later served as the deputy director of logistics, the deputy director of joint operations and deputy commander of the 183rd Regiment, Regional Training Institute.
Gillis has deployed three times. He served as a fire team leader during Operation Urgent Fury/Island Breeze in Grenada; as a strategic operations planner in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and as a combat advisor team commander in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Iraq.
Gallagher graduated from Virginia Military Institute with a bachelor of science degree in civil engineering and a commission as an engineer second lieutenant in 1991. He served in numerous command and staff positions including platoon leader, company commander, battalion operations officer and executive officer and battalion commander.
He has deployed to Afghanistan three times including duty as the Kandahar Area Officer in Charge with the Afghanistan Engineer District and commander of 1297th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
After battalion command, he served in the state G3 and then as the division engineer officer and chief of protection for the 29th Infantry Division.
His military education includes a Master of Strategic Studies from the U.S. Army War College 2014, and graduation from Joint Forces College 2015.
In 2017, he graduated from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government program in Leadership in Homeland Security.
Gallagher works full time as the owner of a small business specializing in facility management and electrical systems installations.