Army Recruiting Battalion Changes Commanders

July 1, 2013 - PRLog -- Kansas City, Mo. -- Lt. Col. Dean Somers, a native of Fremont, Michigan, took command of the U.S. Army Kansas City Recruiting Battalion following a change of command ceremony at Union Station here, Friday morning.  Somers replaces Lt. Col. Vernon Jakoby, who commanded the battalion since June 7, 2011.  The battalion is responsible for all Army and Army Reserve recruiting for the eastern half of Kansas, most of the state of Missouri and extreme southern Illinois; an area covering more than 92,000 square miles. “I am sincerely humbled and honored to stand before you this morning and to accept this extraordinary and special opportunity,” Somers told the Soldiers and civilians attending the ceremony Friday.   “We will work together, shoulder to shoulder to make the Army the first choice of young men and women in the Heartland,” he added.
Somers faces a number of daunting challenges as he takes command.   Significant military cutbacks, a looming government furlough and an American public which appears increasingly apathetic toward military service top the list of hurdles he’ll need to clear if he is to steer the battalion back on course.  Clearly confident of success, Somers, who just returned from an assignment in Afghanistan, said his first order of business is ensuring those under his command have a proper work-life balance.  “I’m convinced the recipe for success for any individual or organization is maintaining proper physical, mental and spiritual balance,” Somers explained.  “I’m committed to ensuring the men and women assigned to the battalion have the opportunity to achieve balance in their personal and professional lives,” he added.  “The rest of it will take care of itself.”