Recruiting Battalion Commander Relinquishes Command in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach, CA — The Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion commander relinquished his command in Redondo Beach on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Norman S. Lawrence turned over his command to Lt. Col. Mark D. Ripley. Lawrence is leaving for his next assignment as the Senior Intelligence Observer Controller and Trainer at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin, California.

“I never imagined I’d be back home and changing the lives of hundreds of young men and women as they join our ranks," Lawrence said. "I’m proud of my position as the commanding officer of the Los Angeles Recruiting Battalion and look forward to one day running into one of the young men and women who joined during my time in command – the thought of it gives me the feeling of honor and pride.”

Ripley will now lead the Battalion's 243 Soldiers and 22 Department of the Army civilians whose sole mission is to recruit with integrity the highest quality men and women into the United States Army while taking care of all soldiers and family members of the command.

The U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion of Los Angeles is located in Encino. The Battalion consists of the Battalion Headquarters, five Companies, and 19 Recruiting Centers.

It covers several hundred square miles of California stretching south from the L.A./Orange County border to as far north as Santa Clarita..

Ripley comes to Los Angles from Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, where he previously served as the 1st Corp Deputy, G1-plans and operations officer for the past two years.