Gulfport native to take command at Camp Shelby on Saturday

Camp Shelby Joint Forces Training Center will host a change of command ceremony to welcome Gulfport native Col. Richard L. Weaver, the center’s new commander, and also to celebrate the accomplishments of outgoing CO Col. Bobby M. Ginn.

The ceremony will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday at the Mississippi Armed Forces Museum.

The change of command is a military tradition that represents a formal transfer of authority and responsibility of a unit from one commanding officer to another. The passing of the colors ensures the unit and its Soldiers are never without official leadership; signifying a continuation of Soldiers’ trust and allegiance to their commander. This gesture of transitioning leadership is accomplished in front of the unit so that all can bear witness to their new leader assuming the responsibility of their dutiful position, while celebrating the accomplishments of the outgoing commander.

Ginn is a Tylertown native who has served more than 30 years as an officer in numerous logistical, leadership and command positions. He deployed to Iraq in 2007 leading the 1387th Quartermaster Company in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. Ginn will continue his service in the MSNG as the Deputy Chief of Staff Logistics Officer in Jackson.

Weaver, originally from Gulfport, has served more than 33 years of service as an engineer officer in positions of leadership and command positions, including a deployment in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as the Commander of Company A, 890th Engineer Battalion. Weaver’s previous assignment was as the Commander of Camp McCain Training Center in Grenada.