SANTA FE, N.M. – Col. Randy Remiker relinquished command of the 93rd Troop Command to Col. Daniel Hughes during a ceremony this morning at the Santa Fe Readiness Center.
Brig. Gen. Miguel Aguilar, the Adjutant General of New Mexico, presided over the change of command.
“It’s always great when you see a change of command where great leadership passes to great leadership, and the unit gets what they need,” Aguilar said.
Aguilar noted that for weekend drills, Annual Training, and other duty requirements, Remiker has flown in from Wisconsin, where he is the Chief of Police for the city of Algoma.
“Randy, you’ve always been there for your command and your Soldiers, and that’s a credit to you,” Aguilar said.
Speaking of Hughes, Aguilar said, “I know he’s going to do a great job and I look forward to watching Troop Command over the next couple years.”
Remiker enlisted in the Minnesota Army National Guard in 1992 and was assigned to the 34th Infantry Division. He received his commission in 1996. Having grown up in Albuquerque, he transferred to the New Mexico Army National Guard in 1998.Remiker held company command three times, including serving as a company commander in Operation Iraqi Freedom II and III. He served as the operations officer for the Joint Detention Group in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and commanded 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry, headquartered in Las Cruces, N.M.
His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, and the Combat Action Badge.
Aguilar presented Remiker with his second Meritorious Service Medal during the ceremony in recognition of a successful tenure of command.
Remiker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Minnesota and a Master of Strategic Studies degree from the U.S. Army War College.
He and his wife Kristin have been married for 26 years and have three children: Hayley, Nicholas, and Isabel.
“Family, I’m glad you were able to make it here today,” Remiker said. “You truly are the unsung heroes of the National Guard.”
Addressing his headquarters element for the last time, Remiker said, “Be it a federal or state mission, we’ve got to react. When it’s time to go, it’s time to go. Be ready.”
Hughes received his commission in 1994 at the New Mexico Military Institute in Roswell, N.M. He served as a combat advisor in Afghanistan and as the operations officer for the U.S. Battalion of the Multinational Force and Observers on the Sinai Peninsula in Egypt He also commanded 1st Battalion, 200th Infantry.
His awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, three Army Commendation Medals, an Air Force Commendation Medal, the Combat Infantryman Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.
Hughes retired as an Albuquerque police officer with more than 20 years of service.
He and his wife Lorena have been married for 20 years and have two children: Andrew and Natalie.
After thanking his family, Hughes addressed his predecessor.
“Randy, thank you for your friendship and leadership and leaving the command in such great shape,” he said.
Referencing Aguilar’s command priorities, Hughes told his subordinates to focus on three things: realistic training, fitness, and developing leaders out of the Soldiers in formation.
“It’s not about me,” Hughes said. “It’s about the Soldiers.”
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