Colonel Ryon Richmond, a graduate of Fulton High School and Missouri State University, will soon be taking on command of the 140 Regiment of the Regional Training Institute at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.
Richmond has been a member of the Missouri National Guard for more than 28 years and currently works for the Guard at the Joint Force Headquarters in Jefferson City. With the new position, Richmond will be in charge of ironing out details in the curriculum, ensuring students are being taught efficiently and effectively and making sure students have support through their education, he said.
"We have a lot of young male and female troops that bring a young spirit to the table and being around that is exciting," Richmond said.
The regiment at the institute is a part of the Army School System and includes courses on military modified skills such as military police training, basic vehicle operations and engineering, Richmond said. According to a press release, students will also have the opportunity to be trained in military occupational skills, non-commissioned officer education and Doctrine Command accreditation.
Richmond will continue to work full time in Jefferson City, but will travel to Fort Leonard Wood one weekend a month to oversee the school and observe the curriculum in operation. This means his wife Jacqueline and 16-year-old son Bryon will not need to relocate for the new position.
"Not everyone gets to the rank of colonel, not everyone gets the opportunity to lead at that level and to be able to do that is an honor," Richmond said. "I feel fortunate to reach that level and be with the program for so long."
Richmond, who has worked at Fort Leonard Wood before, is familiar with the base and is excited to begin his work with the institute.
"At this point I'm one of the old timers and have a lot of experience," Richmond said. "Today we're in an all volunteer army and it takes a special something to do what they do. Young people are willing to step forward once they know what the organization is about and when they do they bring new, young and fresh ideas which keep the organization driving as it is."