Petersburg Soldier Assumes Command of Training Battalion

Related Media

Photo Cutline 1

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/26/2016)(readMedia)-- SPRINGFIELD, Illinois – Lt. Col. Michael Hough of Petersburg, Illinois, assumed command of the Illinois National Guard's 2nd Battalion, 129th Regional Training Institute based in Springfield, Illinois, during an afternoon ceremony Jan. 23 at the Illinois Military Academy on Camp Lincoln, Springfield, Illinois.

The 2nd Battalion, 129th RTI is the main training battalion for the 129th, responsible for reclassification, certification and stand-up training for the Army National Guard, active Army, and the Army reserves. The battalion provides career management in three military occupational specialties as well as an Officer Candidate School program.

Hough took command from Lt. Col. Gregory Ota of Wheaton, Illinois. Ota will be moving to be the Deputy Information Officer for Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois.

Ota thanked the battalion for their dedication and service in making the training battalion a nationally recognized institute and told them even though it's hard to leave, he is leaving them in the capable hands of Hough.

"I reluctantly give up command because this is an incredible unit," said Ota. "It was extremely enjoyable, but I've done my time and it's time for somebody else to step up to the plate."

Hough's thanked his family and friends that joined him for the ceremony, then thanked Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, the commander of the 129th RTI, for the opportunity to command the 2nd Battalion. Hough told the soldiers that he was excited for the opportunity to continue to strive for excellence, but not to stop there.

"I'm very excited to be a part of this great organization," said Hough. "Lt. Col. Ota has done a fantastic job in getting the battalion recognized regionally and nationally we have to find a way to continue that and even improve upon it."

Photo Cutline 1: Lt. Col. Michael Hough of Petersburg, Illinois, receives the 2nd Battalion, 129th Regional Training Institute's colors from Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, the 129th RTI's commander during a ceremony Jan. 23 at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois. Hough took command from Lt. Col. Gregory Ota of Wheaton, Illinois who will now be the Deputy Information Officer for Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Photo Cutline 2: Lt. Col. Michael Hough of Petersburg, Illinois, addresses the troops of 2nd Battalion, 129th Regional Training Institute's following a change of command ceremony Jan. 23 at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois. Hough took command from Lt. Col. Gregory Ota of Wheaton, Illinois who will now be the Deputy Information Officer for Joint Force Headquarters based in Springfield, Illinois. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Bryan Spreitzer, Illinois National Guard Public Affairs Office)

Photo Cutline 3: Lt. Col. Gregory Ota of Wheaton, Illinois, stands with Col. Paul Fanning of Chestnut, Illinois, the 129th Regional Training Institute commander, after receiving the Meritorious Service Medal for his time in command of 2nd Battalion, 129th RTI based in Springfield, Illinois. Ota relinquished command during a change of command ceremony Jan. 23 at the Illinois Military Academy in Springfield, Illinois.