Story by: Capt. Esperanza Meza
Posted: September 24, 2015
DALLAS - The 19th Regiment, Texas State Guard, welcomed Lt. Col. Lloyd W. Lietz, as the new regimental commander, during a change of command ceremony at the Army National Guard Armory, Dallas, September 12, 2015. Lietz will lead the regimental headquarters and three battalions located in Dallas, Greenville, and Kilgore.
Maj. Gen. Gerald "Jake" Betty, commander, Texas State Guard, and Brig. Gen. Howard N. Palmer, Jr., commander, Army Component Command, led the ceremony as Col. Robert Hastings, former 19th Regiment commander, formally handed to Lietz the 19th Regiment guidon.
"Having seen the 19th Regiment in action over the last two years, I know what a fine unit of soldiers they are,” said Lietz. “I am excited to be taking command and I look forward to meeting our training challenges in the future."
Brig. Gen. Palmer, Army Component Command, Texas State Guard, passes the colors to incoming 19th Regiment commander, Lt. Col. Lietz, at the change of command ceremony at Red Bird National Guard Armory, Dallas, Texas, September 12, 2015. (Photo by Capt. Esperanza Meza/Released)
Lietz was commissioned a second lieutenant at Fort Benning, Georgia in 1979. During his 27 years in the U.S. Army, he served as an infantry officer, including 5 years of battalion level command. His active duty assignments included Operation Noble Eagle in and Brussels for NATO support activity.
He graduated from the Branch Immaterial Officers Candidate Course, Airborne School, Infantry Officers Basic and Advanced Courses, Mortar Platoon Leaders Course, the Adjutant/Personnel Officers Staff Course, Command and General Staff College and the Inspector General Course.
Lietz earned the Expert Infantryman and Parachutist badges. His highest military awards include the Legion of Merit, the Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters, the Army Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster, the Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), as well as various other state and federal ribbons.
Upon his retirement from federal service in 2006, Lietz joined the Texas State Guard in 2013. He has served as 4th Regiment operations officer, executive office, and interim regimental commander.
His professional associations include the American Legion, Association of the United States Army, Disabled American Veterans, Military Officers Association of America and State Guard Association of the United States.
Lietz graduated from the Allen Military Academy in Bryan in 1970 and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Journalism from Texas A&M University and a Master of Arts Degree in Military History (Land Warfare) from American Military University. Lietz has been married to his wife Gloria for 35 years and has three children, Charlene, June and Richard.
Lietz and his wife live in Stephenville and McKinney, Texas..