Valencia new commander of 1140th Headquarters Co.

During the change of command ceremony, the unit guidon, or flag, was passed from Lt. Col. John Oberkirschto (left) to Capt. Juan Valencia (right) to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility.

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. -- Missouri National Guard Capt. Juan Valencia, of Kirksville, has been appointed the new commander of the Headquarters Company, 1140th Engineer Battalion in Cape Girardeau.

During the ceremony, the unit guidon, or flag, was passed to Valencia to symbolize the transfer of authority and responsibility.

"Becoming a company commander is one of the main goals and aspirations of a junior officer, and I'm looking forward to the challenge," said Valencia.

His new Soldiers and staff look forward to working with their new commander, said Sgt. 1st Tyler King, the unit's readiness noncommissioned officer.

"Capt. Valencia has a lot of military experience and knowledge, which will be a great asset to the company," said Tyler. "We are honored to serve for him."

Valencia's experience and skills will be of great value to the unit, said Lt. Col. John Oberkirsch. In his civilian life, Valencia is an associate professor of Spanish at Truman State University in Kirksville.

"In your new commander you have a fluent Spanish-speaking officer, which will be particularly helpful and supportive when the battalion will go to Honduras during the summer of 2012 to participate in Beyond the Horizon," Oberkirsch told the Soldiers.

Beyond the Horizon is a joint operations and exercises opportunity for U.S. forces to improve relations with the host country of Honduras and its Latin American neighbors, to help improve the quality of life for their people, and to provide humanitarian assistance where it is needed the most.

Valencia has greatly anticipated becoming a company commander and plans to help the company uphold and excel beyond their excellent standards.

"They have good, well-trained Soldiers," said Valencia. "The unit has great noncommissioned officers who know their jobs. I'll rely on these Soldiers, and I think it's going to be a great unit to command."

Valencia has four years of prior service with the Marine Corps. He has been a commissioned officer in the Missouri National Guard since 2002 after serving a year as an enlisted Soldier. He deployed with the 110th Engineers in 2005-2006 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Valencia is supported in his military career by his wife, Ellen, and their two children, Marco, 15, and Madeliene Rose, 13.

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.