Lt. Col. Fujimoto passes torch as the first commander of the 1-138th Infantry Regiment

The colors of the 1st Battalion 138th Infantry Regiment are passed from outgoing commander, Lt. Col. Kevin A. Fujimoto (right), to Col. William A. Ward (left), commander of the 110th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade, during the change of command ceremony Dec. 4. Fujimoto commanded the newly-formed regiment for two years. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)

By Jennifer Archdekin
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

KANSAS CITY - The Missouri National Guard's 1st Battalion 138th Infantry Regiment held a change of command ceremony Saturday, Dec. 4, at the Kansas City National Guard Armory.

After two years with the battalion, Lt. Col. Kevin A. Fujimoto relinquished his command to Lt. Col. Levon E. Cumpton.

The regiment is relatively new to the Missouri Army National Guard and Fujimoto holds the distinction as its first commander. The 1-138th was mustered in September 2010, with early implementation occurring in September 2009. The unit began building, forming and equipping the regiment in September 2008.

Fujimoto has served with the Missouri National Guard since 2005 and he said it has been five of the greatest years of his life.

"The Soldiers of the Missouri Army National Guard, regardless of branch or unit of assignment, are all tough, dedicated warriors who are sacrificing daily to serve both our state during emergencies and our nation in the conflicts overseas," said Fujimoto.

With this change of command, Fujimoto moves on to his next assignment to work on the joint staff of the National Guard Bureau as a strategic planner in Washington, D.C.

"This will be another adventure in the National Guard, as I'll be living and working in our nation's capital," said Fujimoto.

According to Fujimoto, it is difficult for him to point out his proudest moment with the 1-138th.

"I'm not sure there has been any single moment, as the last two years have just been a whirlwind and the best of my military service," said Fujimoto. "The Soldiers are the best that I've worked with ever, and I've had the chance to build some bonds and friendships that will last a lifetime."

By standing up the 1-138th, Fujimoto will go down in history as the first commander of this regiment, but points out that the noncommissioned officers deserve all of the credit for building the unit.

"They are our national treasure," said Fujimoto. "No school or training can produce a sergeant. Instead, NCOs emerge from the ranks, selected from their peers based on proven seasoning, maturity, skill, initiative, professionalism and experience. They are the leaders of this battalion. They set the direction, training and leading our Soldiers, mentoring and grooming our officers, and always setting the standards of professionalism to inspire the rest of us. We are forever indebted to them."

Though the 1-138th is a young unit in the Missouri Army National Guard, Fujimoto is quick to point out that this regiment is no longer the "new" infantry battalion.

"They have now earned the title of 'the' infantry battalion," said Fujimoto. "In only 24 months from being stood up, they participated in nine field training exercises, one live-fire shoot house, quarterly exercises involving both lift and attack aviation; the Missouri Army National Guard's first ever combined arms live fire exercise involving small arms, indirect fires, rotary wing attack aviation and fixed wing close air support; and a battalion level combined arms attack in conjunction with the Japanese Ground Self Defense Forces in Hokkaido, Japan."

Fujimoto added that these men and women did it with limited resources, and by simply making do, or doing without, just like warriors have done for thousands of years before them, and will continue to do long after they are gone.

"Make no mistake, those are not the actions of a new unit," said Fujimoto.

The 1-138th is headquartered in Kansas City and maintains units in St. Louis, Boonville, Perryville, Monett, Anderson and Jefferson City. About 775 Guardsmen serve in Missouri's only maneuver and infantry unit.

Currently, Fujimoto is a vice president for Bank of America's Global Wealth and Investment Management Group in St. Louis. He is supported by his wife, Katherine, and children Nicholas and Teddy.

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

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For more information about this release, please contact Jennifer Archdekin at 816-262-2893 or e-mail at jarchdekin@gmail.com.




Upon relinquishing command of the 1st Battalion 138th Infantry Regiment, Lt. Col. Kevin A. Fujimoto (left), was presented with a gift on behalf of the regiment by Command Sgt. Maj. Paul Kennedy (right). Fujimoto was the first to command the 1-138th since its initial forming in September 2008. (Photo by Jennifer Archdekin)