VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. –
Col. Dennis Rohler took command of the Virginia National Guard’s Virginia Beach-based 329th Regional Support Group from Col. Todd Pegg Nov. 20, 2022, in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Brig. Gen. K. Weedon Gallagher, the VNG Land Component Commander, presided over the change of command ceremony and the exchange of organizational colors signifying the transfer of command from Pegg to Rohler.
Gallagher commended both Pegg and Rohler for their selfless service and professional expertise as sustainment officers.
“One thing not a lot of people know about Col. Pegg is that he could have kept it in neutral and coasted to retirement two years ago,” Gallagher said. “We asked him to take charge of the RSG in anticipation of the deployment and end his career as a combat commander. Todd, to his credit, didn’t hesitate, and he was all in.”
Gallagher said the fact he took on the challenge of commanding the unit during a federal active duty overseas deployment was a testament to his 32 years of selfless attitude and doing what the demands of the formation and the Soldiers who trusted him required.
He recognized Rohler having deployed with 329th units many times over the years and his full time service as the Virginia Army National Guard’s state G4 logistics officer.
“Dennis has deployed with the formation multiple times, and he has been looked to for quite a while for his sustainment expertise,” Gallagher said. “There is no anxiety with this transition between these two Jamestown warriors.”
Gallagher, Pegg and Rohler all recognized the importance of the support of their families, and in particular, their spouses. Gallagher explained spouses provide not just support, but also provide mentorship, coaching and guidance, and the success of the outgoing and incoming commanders was because of the patriotic service of their Army spouses.
As Pegg reflected on his time in command, he simply said, “The 329th gets it done.”
He elaborated and said if the Virginia National Guard was doing something, it was very likely the 329th was doing a large part of it.
“The 329th got it all done and got our folks back to their families, their jobs and next assignments,” Pegg said. “I am very proud of that, and I think that is what right looks like.”
He also said that what the 329th does, all the time, from the young private to the group commander, matters to each other, the unit and the entire commonwealth.
“Don’t forget that, and don’t forget the little things,” Pegg said. “They actually aren’t little in the big picture.”
Rohler recognized the command teams from the 329th’s subordinate battalions: the Petersburg-based 276th Engineer Battalion, the Gate City-based 1030th Transportation Battalion and the Virginia Beach-based 529th Combat Sustainment Support Battalion.
On a personal note, he thanked the Soldiers, noncommissioned officers and warrant officers who helped shape and develop him over the years.
“I am who I am today because of what you poured into me over these years,” Rohler said.
As the new commander, he said his priorities would be people and culture.
“We are going to pursue a culture that treats people with respect dignity and make sure our folks are inspired to be the best they can be every day because this organization is one they enjoy being a part of,” Rohler said. “Our organization will promote high standards. But at the same time, we will empower individuals, and they will want to invite others to to be a part of what we have going on here at the 329th RSG through building strong teams and taking care of individuals.”
Before the official change of command, Maj. Gen. Timothy P. Williams, the Adjutant General of Virginia, recognized retired Col. Mike Waterman with the Legion of Merit for his decades of service. Waterman deployed multiple times with 329th RSG units and most recently served as the Group's rear detachment commander while the 329th RSG headquarters was mobilized.
The Troutville-based 29th Infantry Division Band provided music for the event.
Read more about the 329th RSG at
https://ngpa.us/22732.