Photo By Spc. Beatrice Florescu | The passing of the sword symbolizes the change of responsibility and it is an old...... read more read more
By Spc. Beatrice Florescu-Vila Verde
MNC-I PAO
Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill assumed responsibility of Multi-National Force-Iraq at Al Faw Palace May 5.
Hill replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Mellinger as the senior enlisted advisor for MNF-I. Hill thanked everyone for attending and bidding farewell to a great Soldier and warrior.
"(I will) do what's right, do the best that I can and treat others the way I want to be treated," Hill said. "I will do this by being available, accessible and approachable."
Gen. David Petraeus, MNF-I commanding general, was the presiding officer of the ceremony.
"This is an occasion of great importance to the dedicated Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, Civilians and coalition partners of the 25 nations that collectively comprise Multi-National Force," Petraeus said. "The presence of so many of our commanders and command sergeants major today underscores the importance of this event."
Petraeus recognized Mellinger's 33 months of dedicated efforts as the senior enlisted advisor on the ground in Iraq, keeping together four Corps headquarters, over 13 division and Marine Expeditionary Force headquarters, over 68 brigade and regimental combat teams, and countless brigades and battalions of combat support and service support elements as well as the important contributions of coalition forces.
Petraeus welcomed Hill, who was responsible for the training, readiness, and mobilization of all Army Reserve and National Guard forces in preparation for deployments in support of the Global War on Terror. Petraeus is very familiar with Hill, who served with him as the 101st Airborne Division command sergeant major.
Mellinger, who will head back to Alaska where his family resides, spoke about his memories and experiences with coalition forces and Iraqi brothers-in-arms during his tour.
"I have had the honor and privilege of serving not only the warriors of my own country for the past 33 months, but the warriors of more than 30 coalition nations, as well as those of Iraq," Mellinger said. "The time has come for me to pass my part of the fight off to another warrior, Command Sgt. Maj. Marvin Hill."
The passing of the sword took place, officially changing responsibility from Mellinger to Hill. Petraeus presented Mellinger with the relief orders and Hill with his new assignment orders, concluding the ceremony.
| Date Taken: | 05.08.2007 |
| Date Posted: | 05.08.2007 01:33 |
| Story ID: | 10275 |
| Location: |
| Web Views: | 755 |
| Downloads: | 575 |
This work, CSM Hill assumes responsibility of MNF-I, by SPC Beatrice Florescu, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
LEAVE A COMMENT