Lt. Col. Vernon Jakoby Takes Command of Kansas City Recruiting Battalion During Ceremony at Liberty Memorial

Kansas City, MO, June 24, 2011 --(PR.com)-- With temperatures hovering in the low nineties and barely a cloud in the sky, Lt. Col. Ronald Tucker passed his two-year command of the U.S. Army’s Kansas City Recruiting Battalion and its seven subordinate recruiting companies to Lt. Col. Vernon Jakoby during a change of command ceremony at the Liberty Memorial June 7.

The memorial served as the perfect backdrop for the ceremony which was attended by several high ranking military officers and civilian dignitaries. The significant number of Soldiers assembled on the grounds peaked the curiosity of several area residents who ventured out onto apartment balconies to witness the event. One unidentified resident remarked that he was impressed by the precision of the Soldiers participating in the ceremony. “I guess precision is what the U.S. Army is known for,” he said. “I’m glad these guys have my back.”

The Kansas City Recruiting Battalion is part of the U.S. Army’s 5th Recruiting Brigade commanded by Col. Christopher Himsl, who presided over the ceremony. The battalion’s area of responsibility covers approximately 94,540 square miles covering Eastern Kansas, Missouri and Southern Illinois with 320 Soldiers assigned.

Jakoby, a 19-year Army veteran, comes to Kansas City from Fort Lewis, Washington where he served as the Deputy Commanding Officer for the 593rd Sustainment Brigade. He was commissioned a second lieutenant on active duty in 1992 after graduating from Western Illinois University with a Bachelor of Business degree in Management. He later earned a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management from Tarleton State University in Stephenville, Texas.

This is not Jakoby’s first stint with the U.S. Army Recruiting Command (USAREC). From 2001-2003, he served as an Army recruiting company commander in central Illinois. "It's really great to be back in USAREC after being gone for some time. I’m humbled and honored to return as a battalion commander,” Jakoby said.

In his old but new role, Jakoby said he’s mindful of the challenges that lay ahead. According to Army recruiting command statistics, fewer than one in four 17-24 year olds are fully qualified to enlist in the Army today. “Though our command is strong, the Army and the Nation still face challenges as we recruit an all-volunteer Force,” Jakoby explained.

“The continued success of the all-volunteer military depends heavily on our recruiters’ ability to speak with students and educators to ensure they understand that becoming a Soldier is a viable career option,” Jakoby explained. Ensuring that message gets to the one in four who do qualify is an area of emphasis for Kansas City Battalion recruiters, according to Jakoby. “Here’s the bottom line, he explained. “It’s an honor and privilege to serve...not a right.”

Tucker’s next assignment takes him to Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he will serve as the Chief of Air Defense Operations. "I would just like to thank all the Officers, NCOs and civilians in my company for all of their dedication to the mission and tireless efforts that man our Army with qualified and capable future Soldiers. This command has been one of my greatest experiences in the Army," said Tucker.

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