MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP LEJEUNE, N.C. -- Command of 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment traded hands during a change of command ceremony here, May 20.
Lt. Col. Douglas P. Thomas relinquished command of 2nd Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment to Lt. Col. Timothy M. Parker, the regiment’s operations officer since May 2005.
"So many people have done so much to make this a great command," Parker said. "I'm very proud to come here and command these Marines."
Parker graduated recruit training aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, S.C. in August 1985, where he began his Marine Corps career. He was then assigned to Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 25th Marine Regiment, until February 1990, after which he attended Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Va.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th Marine Regiment where he served as a forward observer, fire direction officer and a battery executive officer. After serving with 10th Marines, he served as the cadre liaison officer in Norfolk, Va., from 1993 to 1996.
Since then, Parker has served as the assistant operations officer to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, attended the College of Naval Command and Staff in Newport, R.I., and served as the executive officer at the Regional Operations Center in Southern Europe.
In May 2004, Parker assumed duties as the executive officer of 2nd Battalion, 10th Marines and deployed to Iraq during the second half of Operation Iraqi Freedom 2.
He was then transferred to the regiment in May 2005 for duty as the regimental operations officer.
Parker said his Marines will be ready for any challenge that comes their way.
"These Marines have been deploying all over the world and have been doing great things in the Global War on Terrorism."
"Parker is one of the most professional and dedicated Marine officers I have had the privilege of working with," said Thomas, the outgoing commander, whose next command will be as a Secretary of Defense corporate fellow.
"We are going to keep fighting this war ... and we're going to win," Parker said.