The commanding officer of the Marine Corps' Wounded Warrior Regiment has been removed from his post, Marine officials confirmed Friday.
Col. T. Shane "Rhino" Tomko, 52, was relieved Feb. 12 by Marine and Family Programs Director Brig. Gen. Russell Sanborn "due to a loss of confidence in his leadership," Maj. Rob Dolan, a spokesman for Marine Corps Manpower and Reserve Affairs, said in a statement.
Dolan said additional details could not be provided due to an ongoing Marine Corps investigation.
Attempts to contact Tomko were not immediately successful.
Following his relief, Tomko was temporarily assigned to M&RA staff at Quantico, Dolan said. The Wounded Warrior Regiment's executive office, Lt. Col. Eric O'Harra, was appointed to serve as interim commander.
Col. Shane Tomko, commander of the Wounded Warrior Regiment, congratulates Adam Vickers, gold medalist in the men's recumbent cycling race at the 2014 Warrior Games at the US Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado, on Monday, September 29, 2014.
Photo Credit: Mike Morones/Staff
Tomko came to the regiment July 10 following a year-long tour as operations officer for 2nd Marine Division out of Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He enlisted in 1983, according to reports, and has a background as an infantry and special operations officer.
His official Marine Corps biography had already been removed from the Wounded Warrior Regiment website Friday afternoon.
The Wounded Warrior Regiment, which is based in Quantico, Virginia, was created in 2007 to oversee two Wounded Warrior battalions that serve wounded, ill and injured Marines. These units provide care in recovery and assist personnel with their transition back to active duty or into civilian life.
