Sikeston's 1140th changes to 1221st

SIKESTON - The restructuring of the Missouri Army National Guard will bring changes in Southeast Missouri.

The Cape Girardeau-based Engineer Brigade, 35th Infantry Division will cease to exist under the plan announced on Monday.

Capt. Tamara Spicer, a Guard spokeswoman, said members of the unit will have the option of switching to other units that operate out of the armory in Cape Girardeau or joining units elsewhere in Southeast Missouri.

Another major change to Guard units in the region is the return of the 1221st Transportation Division to Dexter. The division had been headquartered in Dexter for decades before being moved out last year. The 1221st will have branch units in Sikeston and St. Peters.

"Charlie Company will no longer be Charlie Company 1140th," Adj. Gen. King Sidwell said. "It is currently planned under the restructuring to be a detachment of the 1221st Transportation Company located in Dexter and Sikeston."

Currently the Sikeston armory is home to 31 soldiers; under the restructure, 58 soldiers will be assigned to it.

"The 1140th will survive, and there will still be a headquarters for the 1140th in Cape Girardeau," Sidwell said.

Currently the Sikeston armory, as the 1140th Engineer Battalion, has a detachment at Portageville. Under the restructure, it will transform from an engineering unit to military police.

Spicer, who is also the commander of the 1221st, emphasized the change will be a wonderful opportunity for the transportation unit.

"Not only is the 1221st returning to Dexter where historical lineage is in tact, but I was down in Sikeston for the welcome home ceremony when Charlie Company returned from Iraq."

She continued: "I was so impressed with the Sikeston community and it was breathtaking -- all of the support. And to think now that community is behind the 1221st is such a sense of humility, you just can't imagine how excited we are."