GMC News

Purvis takes over for Hallam at helm of ROTC department

(Milledgeville) – A Change of Command ceremony Monday marked a shift in leadership in the Senior ROTC department at Georgia Military College, with Lt. Col. Rob Purvis taking over as Battalion Commander of the Old Capitol Guard battalion, replacing Lt. Col. Jay Hallam, who has transferred to Stuttgart, Germany.

“It is a great opportunity for me to provide the army with future officers,” said Purvis. “It’s always a challenge, moving into a new job and trying to figure it out, but Col. Hallam has left me a great program. I think we’re going to do well.”

Purvis and his wife Michele have two children, Kaitie and Kyle.

Purvis began his military career in 1991 when he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in Armor from Virginia Tech. From that point, Purvis was stationed all over the world, from Ft. Benning, Ga., to Ft. Hood, Texas, to a seven-month deployment in Bosnia-Herzegovinia.

A decorated soldier, Purvis has earned nearly 20 awards and decorations over his 18-year career. He said it is his career as a whole that has prepared him for this assignment.

“This is definitely a new thing for me, and I don’t think any specific point in my career has prepared me for it,” he said. “Instead, I believe it is the all-around experiences I have had, the places I’ve been, and the people I’ve met that have prepared me.”

Hallam took the helm of the GMC JC ROTC department in 2006. Before his time at Georgia Military, he was stationed in locales such as South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Bosnia-Herzegovinia, and Ft. Leavenworth.

He said his stay of three years at GMC was the longest of his career.

“Three years is a long time to stay one place in the army,” he said. “That’s one of the great things about the army – you get to do something different all the time. I’ve done this job the longest.”

Hallam, along with his wife Paula and his two daughters, Rachel and Sara, now move on to Stuttgart, Germany. Hallam’s new assignment is EUCOM HQs. He is excited about the opportunity, but he is saddened by his departure from GMC.

“There is an excitement of moving on and doing something new, but there’s also a sadness of giving the reigns to someone else,” he said. “But [Col. Purvis] is a great guy. He is a qualified combat veteran and an expert trainer. I know the unit is in good hands.”

And those hands are read to get started.

“I’m happy to be here,” Purvis said. “I’m looking forward to working with Georgia Military College and Milledgeville. Let’s go.”

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Ross Couch
Media Relations
Georgia Military College
(478) 387-4714
GMC ext: 24714
rcouch@gmc.cc.ga.us

Photos by Janeen Garpow and Ross Couch