Third Army HHC gets new First Sergeant

Courtesy Photo | FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. (Jan. 20, 2006) - 1st Sgt. Matthew B. Northen takes the Third U.S. Army Headquarters and Headquarters Company guidon from Command Sgt. Maj. Marlon Phipps, taking responsibility as the HHC First Sergeant. The change of responsibility ceremony was held on Jan. 20, 2006 at the Third Army headquarters. (photo by Spc. Bryce S. Dubee, Third U.S. Army Public Affairs Office)  

FORT MACPHERSON, GA, UNITED STATES

01.27.2006

Courtesy Story

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By Spc. Bryce S. Dubee
Third U.S. Army Public Affairs

FORT MCPHERSON, Ga. " (Jan. 20, 2006) Third U.S. Army's Headquarters and Headquarters Company held a change of responsibility ceremony in which 1st Sgt. Byron E. Brown transferred responsibility of the company to 1st Sgt. Matthew B. Northen on Jan. 20, 2006 at the Third Army headquarters.

"This has been the most demanding first sergeant position I've ever held," said Brown, "We don't just run split based operations here between Atlanta and Kuwait, which is a challenge in itself, but we sometime even go to tri-based operation such as when we are in Egypt."

Never the less, Brown said that despite the challenges, this has been an incredibly rewarding position and a great opportunity for professional development.

Arriving at Third Army in March 2004, Brown brought years of experience with him. From team leader to senior drill sergeant to first sergeant, 1st Sgt. Brown has held a variety of positions during his career, which began on Jan. 28, 1987 at One Station Unit Training at Fort Benning, Georgia.

1st Sgt. Brown will leave Third Army for U.S. Army Forces Command (FORSCOM), as he prepares for his up coming retirement.

When asked what advice he would leave for 1st Sgt. Northen, Brown replied, "Stay motivated, stay dedicated, always lead from the front and to push yourself to continue you professional and personal development."

During the ceremony, the senior non-commissioned officer in charge, Third Army Special Troops Battalion Command Sergeant Major, Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Marlon B. Phipps, spoke about the incoming first sergeant's desire to be at Third Army.

It wasn't soon after 1st Sgt. Brown had assumed responsibility of HHC that Cmd. Sgt. Maj. Phipps started getting calls from then Master Sgt. Northen over at FORSCOM about the possibility of coming to Third Army. Phipps told him he would have to wait until the position became open again. When it finally became open, Northen jumped at the chance to take over.

1st Sgt. Northen comes to Third Army from FORSCOM and has served in numerous units and different positions through out his career, from platoon sergeant to operations sergeant major at assignments including 1st Ranger Co. Camp James E. Rudder, Eglin Air Force Base, Fla.; Camp Greaves, Korea; and was a drill sergeant at Fort Sill, Okla.

"I always believed that if you are going to be an E-8, you should be a first sergeant, being out there, pushing troops," said Northen.

• Date Taken: 01.27.2006
• Date Posted: 01.27.2006 10:33
• Story ID: 5229
• Location: FORT MACPHERSON, GA, US