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<p><strong>From staff reports</strong></p>
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<p>The South Carolina National Guard announced on Thursday, July 22, that Beaufort native U.S Army Col. Richard Zeigler, III is the next commander of the 218th Regional Training Institute in Eastover, S.C.</p>
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<p>Zeigler is taking command from U.S. Army Col. Byron Williams, II. The official change of command ceremony is scheduled for 2 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 8 at the 218th Regional Training Institute.</p>
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<p>The 218th Regional Training Institute provides institutional training based on the collective requirements identified by National Guard Bureau for Army National Guard, U.S. Army Reserve, and active components in support of the Army’s modular force. The 218th also provides coordinating authority, quality assurance, scheduling, and accreditation oversight for functionally aligned units. It delivers operational, training, administrative, logistical and resource management support as required to accomplish the mission to train the Army Warrior. The unit is headquartered at McCrady Training Center in Eastover.</p>
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<p>“My selection as the 218th Regional Training Institute commander offers me the opportunity to affect the lives of soldiers on the academic side of non-commissioned officer leadership and development, military occupation schools, Officer/Warrant officer development, which will provide commanders with more competent and professional Soldiers for their units,” Zeigler said in a release. “Any time you have the opportunity to affect soldiers' lives and improve the organization, it’s an honor and responsibility not taken lightly.”</p>
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<p>Zeigler joined the S.C. National Guard as an enlisted soldier June 15, 1989, in the 264th Engineer Detachment (firefighter) in Allendale. He is currently assigned to Joint Force Headquarters as the human resources director. Zeigler has held numerous positions in the S.C. National Guard, including serving as the commander of the 1050th Transportation Battalion. He identified his experience as the battalion commander as being the most significant of all the assignments, allowing him to see the impact he contributed to soldiers, units, and overall readiness.</p>
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<p>“One of the highlights of my career has been watching the soldiers I served alongside rise through the ranks of the enlisted, officer, and warrant officer corps,” he said. “Our success as leaders depends on the success of others and it is an indication to me that I have always been surrounded by great soldiers.”</p>
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<p>Zeigler’s previous assignments also include company commander of the 742nd Maintenance Company and assistant logistics officer for the 218th Heavy Brigade Combat Team during Operation Noble Eagle.</p>
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