Marines

It's Miller time! Warlords change command

10 Feb 2001 | Cpl. Mike Vrabel Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune

A former Unitas rifle company commander will assume command of the groundbreaking 2d Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment Feb. 21.

Lieutenant Colonel Walter L. Miller Jr., from Mesquite, Texas, will take charge of the battalion from Toronto's Lt. Col. Lawrence D. Nicholson, battalionĀ  commander since February 1999.

Nicholson, a graduate of The Citadel, served at Camp Pendleton, Calif., and Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, in the early stages of his career, before being assigned as company commander at the U.S. Naval Academy in 1990. Nicholson came to Camp Lejeune August 1995, when he was assigned as the executive officer of 2d Light Armored Reconnaissance Bn., 2d Marine Division.

In May 1999, he took charge as the Division G-3 operations officer. In February, 1999, Nicholson became 2d Bn., 2d Marines commanding officer. While with the battalion, Nicholson served with his troops abroad with the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. While overseas, the battalion participated in several groundbreaking exercises, including the first bilateral training exercise ever held in Croatia.

Nicholson is married to the former Deborah Swygert of Charleston, S.C. They have three sons: Andrew, Daniel and Kevin.

After leaving 2d Bn., Nicholson will take charge as the regimental executive officer of 2d Marines.

Miller, a graduate from Texas A&M University, took his first steps into the 2d Marine Division in 1987 as commanding officer of Charlie Company, 1st Bn., 6th Marines. Miller also served as the 6th Marines operations officer. From there, he took command of the Unitas rifle company until May 1991.

After working at Headquarters Marine Corps and Marine Corps Base Quantico, Miller returned to Camp Lejeune in 1998, serving as the Division operations officer until June 2000, when he was assigned as executive officer, 2d Bn., 2d Marines.

Miller's personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal. He is married to the former Marcela Davila of Panama City, Panama. They have three daughters: Marcela, Maria and Michelle.