Camp Lejeune Gets a New Base Commander

Camp Lejeune's new base commander starts his first full day on the job Tuesday morning.

Colonel Richard Flatau took control of the Marine base at Monday's change of command ceremony. Flatau served as a commissioned officer for twenty-five years.

Base spokesperson First Lieutenant Craig Thomas says Flatau will spend his first day meeting with staff leaders to learn the state of the base.

"After he's becomes acclimatized, I'm sure he's going to want to make some changes and make this base his own," says Thomas. "But the first step is to come in and listen to what's going on. If it's not broke, there's no reason to fix it."

Flatau replaces Colonel Adele Hodges as base commander. Thomas says Hodges will be remembered as a warm-hearted leader who could make tough decisions.

"The great thing about Colonel Hodges is not only did she provide a vision of what she wanted our Marines to do, but she led by example," says Thomas. "She would get out there and volunteer. She was constantly in the community going to meetings."

Hodges was the first colonel to serve as base commander, a position formerly reserved for generals. She's also known as the "hugging" commander. Thomas says she's as tough as she is kind.