JTRU welcomes Capt. Curtis Renard as new Navy Element CO

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. – Sailors from the Navy element of the Joint Transportation Reserve Unit (JTRU) piped aboard a new skipper on Dec. 6, signifying the formal relief of Navy Capt. Mark Retzloff, who retired after 27 years of service.

Air Force Maj. Gen. Michael D. Kim, JTRU Commander, officiated the ceremony during which Navy Capt. Curtis Renard assumed command of the Navy Element of JTRU.

As commander of JTRU’s Navy element, Capt. Renard will lead a staff of forty Navy Reservists and will serve as a chief watch officer for U.S. Transportation Command’s (USTRANSCOM) Deployment Distribution Operations Center. The JTRU is comprised of soldiers, sailors, airmen, Marines and Coast Guard reservists who augment USTRANSCOM to provide transportation, sustainment and distribution to our nation's warfighters across the globe every single day.

Addressing all hands in his new command for the first time, Renard affirmed the pride he takes in the USTRANSCOM mission and support provided by reservists.

"I am truly honored to have been selected as the Commanding Officer of the Navy Element in the JTRU. The Navy Element possesses outstanding experienced professionals, and we will continue to provide superior support to USTRANSCOM," he said.

Renard, a native of Wichita, Kansas, graduated from Wichita State University with a Bachelors of Business Administration degree in Accounting and later earned his Master of Science Degree in Total Quality Management from Friends University. He was commissioned in 1987 from Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island, and was qualified as a surface warfare officer.

As a strike warfare officer aboard USS Normandy (CG 60), he successfully coordinated the launch of 26 Tomahawk cruise missiles on enemy targets during Operation Desert Storm. During his career as a reservist, Renard held several leadership roles in the Coastal Riverine Forces.

In December 2011, he assumed command of the Afloat Cultural Workshop for Commander, Naval Forces Pacific Fleet. Prior to reporting to JTRU, Renard was mobilized for a year to Bahrain, where he served as the deputy commander for commander, Task Force FIVE SIX.

During the change of command ceremony, Kim expressed his confidence in Renard’s ability to support JTRU’s global mission, while also offering high praise for Retzloff.

"Captain Retzloff is one of the most capable and talented officers I’ve ever met, and we wish him well in his retirement," Kim said. “While we say farewell to one incredible leader, we are exceptionally fortunate to gain another. Capt. Renard is another distinguished senior leader who will continue to drive the Navy element and JTRU to great success.”

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