FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Change of Command for 196th Regiment

STURGIS - Maj. Tim Moran, of Rapid City and recent returning veteran of Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan, will take command of the 196th Regiment General Studies Battalion at 4:30 PM on Saturday 20, Aug. during the change of command ceremony at Ft. Meade.

The out going commander, Lt. Col. Douglas L. Quarve is a field artillery officer in the South Dakota Army National Guard. Lt. Col. Quarve enlisted in the Guard in January 1979. He received his commission as a 2nd Lt. upon graduating from the SD Military Academy in July 1982. Quarve is a graduate of the United States Army Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, Advance Course, Pre Command Course, Command and General Staff College and National Guard Bureau Counter Drug Course. He holds a B.S. in Business Administration from Sioux Falls College. Quarve's most recent military assignments include Executive Officer, 147th FA Brigade; Executive Officer, 196th Regiment RTI; Commander, 196th Regiment General Studies Battalion. Qarve is presently assigned as the JFHQ Counter Drug Officer, SD Army National Guard. 

The incoming commander, Maj. Timothy P. Moran is a military police officer in the South Dakota Army National Guard. He currently resides in Rapid City with his wife Patty. They have four children, Patrick, Chris, Katie and Jeff. Moran enlisted in the Guard in 1983. He received his appointment as a Warrant Officer in Oct. 1987 and later received his commission from the Federal Officer Candidate School at Fort Benning, GA, in Aug. 1989. Moran is a graduate of the U.S. Army Master Fitness School, Transportation Officer Basic, Air Assault School, Transportation Officer Advance, Military Police Transition Course, Command and General Staff College and the Military Police Pre Command Course. He holds a B.S. in Social Sciences from BHSU. 

Moran's most recent military assignments include JFHQ Logistics Officer; S-1, 196th Regiment; S-4, 109th Engineer Group and currently is the Commander, 196th Regiment, General Studies Battalion. 

Major Moran is no stranger to the 196th Regiment. He has supported the regiment's Officer Candidate Program since 1987. Moran stated, "With my association over the years with the Regiment and my experience gained while in Afghanistan, I intend to pass on those lessons learned to our future leaders and soldiers who attend the schools we provide. It is an honor to be their commander and I look forward to the challenges of commanding during a time of war." 

The change of command is a time-honored military tradition. A formal passing of the unit's colors will pass from the hands of the outgoing commander to the senior commander, Col. Steven G. Harding, the 196th Regimental Commander. This symbolic gesture signifies the relinquishment of command. Then the colors are passed from the Regimental Commander to the incoming commander signifying the passing of authority, responsibility and trust. Maj. Moran will be hosting a reception on the patio of Ft. Meade's Freedom Hall Dining Facility after the event.