Photo Information

Col. James T. Iulo (left), the present commanding officer of 1st Marine Corps District, receives the unit colors from Col. J. J. Dill (right), the former commanding officer of 1MCD, during a change of command and retirement ceremony on Naval Weapons Station Earle, July 11. Dill has retired from the Marine Corps after more than 24 years of faithful service. (U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Thomas).

Photo by Lance Cpl. Brandon Thomas

1MCD’s CO retires, passes torch

11 Jul 2014 | Lance Cpl. Brandon Thomas 1st Marine Corps District

Col. J. J. Dill, the former commanding officer of 1st Marine Corps District, finishes his career where it all started, July 11 at Naval Weapons Station Earle. A change of command ceremony welcoming Col. James T. Iulo, the present commanding officer of 1MCD, and a retirement ceremony for Dill brought together Marines from Recruiting Stations New Jersey, New York and 1st MCD Headquarters.

Also present at the event were friends and family of Dill and Iulo.

“Every ceremony is an opportunity to celebrate the career of the individual, what they have accomplished, their families and friends, their fellow Marines that made it all possible for them – but it is also reaffirmation of our legacy, who we are as Marines and what we stand for,” said Maj. Gen. Mark A. Brilakis, commanding general of Marine Corps Recruiting Command.

The ceremony was conducted by a formation of Marines representing subordinate recruiting stations, 1MCD Staff and a Marine Corps Band Quintet.

“It was a lovely ceremony,” said Deneé Dill, Col. Dill’s wife. “It’s bitter sweet. We’re going to miss a lot of the fidelity in the Marine Corps but I’m happy to have him home to me.”

The 1MCD staff, though sad to see Dill go, were confident and excited about the future of the 1MCD with Iulo.

“Today marks another milestone in Col. Dill’s life as well as 1MCD history,” said Sgt. Maj. Samuel Heyward Jr., sergeant major of 1MCD. "He is leaving behind a legacy of superb performance and expectations of nothing less than professionalism. “

“It was a great event, after working so closely with Col. Dill for these last couple of years, I’m sad to see him go,” said Lt. Col. Arthur J. Woods, operations officer of 1MCD. “He definitely treated the Marines like family. However, it’s nice to see Col. Iulo come in. He is going to be the perfect complement to Col. Dill and take the district to even better places.”

“Col. Iulo is going to do great things here.” said Col. Dill. “I can leave knowing that the Marines here and the 1st Marine Corps District are in good hands. It was a pleasure working with you all. The 1st Marine Corps District has definitely had the greatest impact on me thus far in my career.”