Alumnus takes charge of Ranger battalion

July 26, 2021

Lt. Col. Kitefre Oboho, a 2002 alumnus of the University of North Georgia (UNG), has assumed command of the 3rd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment, Fort Benning, Georgia. The Ranger Regiment is one of the elite special operations forces of the U.S. military.

"Obviously, I didn't get here by myself. My wife gets a lot of credit, and my friends and family," Oboho said. "It's an incredible opportunity and an incredible team accomplishment. And the next step is to lead these Rangers with the dignity and character that they deserve."

Oboho said his experiences in the Corps of Cadets' "leadership laboratory," which included his introduction to Army Rangers, inspired him and still defines him today.

"The advantages of being at UNG, like the high pedigree of instructors and mentors that I had, is the foundation of who I am today," he said. "If I hadn't been at UNG, if I hadn't interacted with those people, and lived in that culture, I think I'd be hard-pressed to be where I am today."

Dr. Keith Antonia, associate vice president for military programs at UNG, said the 75th Ranger Regiment has extremely high standards and an intensive screening and selection process. Antonia, a retired lieutenant colonel, served for 12 years in Army Ranger units, is a distinguished member of the Airborne Ranger Training Brigade, and was inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame in 2009.

"The Ranger Regiment is the Army's premier raid force, and only the Army's most capable combat officers and sergeants lead its small units and battalions," Antonia said.

Retired Maj. Richard Neikirk, the assistant commandant of UNG's Corps of Cadets, met Oboho in 1998 at the traditional Freshman Recruit Orientation Group (FROG) Week training for new cadet recruits.

"He made a great impression on me and I knew right away that he would turn out to be one of the finest graduates produced from this program," Neikirk said. "The Army recognized his talents by selecting him for tough assignments and early promotions."

Oboho also held leadership positions with the 2nd Ranger Battalion from 2012-17, including executive officer, operations officer, company commander and adjutant.

He also was selected early among his peers for promotion to colonel, which Antonia noted is a testament both to Oboho's performance throughout his career and the Army's confidence in his potential as a senior leader.

Oboho's awards and decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal and the NATO Meritorious Service Medal.

Oboho and his wife, Kai Hawkins Oboho, sponsor the Knox Kitefre Oboho Military Leadership Scholarship for UNG cadets. The scholarship honors their son Knox, who died in December 2014. Kai Oboho, a 2005 UNG alumna, is a Distinguished Military Graduate and a well-decorated combat veteran. The couple have two sons, Kope and Karter.