Greywolf welcomes change, bids farewell

Photo By Sgt. Karl Williams | Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Kelley (left), the new command sergeant major of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, accepts the brigade's colors from commander Col. Douglas Crissman at a change of responsibility ceremony, Aug. 31, on Fort Hood's Cooper Field.  

FORT HOOD, TX, UNITED STATES

08.31.2010

Story by Spc. Sharla Lewis 

3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division

FORT HOOD, Texas – Soldiers and family members of 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division saw a change of responsibility during a ceremony, Aug. 31, on Fort Hood’s Cooper Field.

Command Sgt. Maj. Ronnie Kelley, the brigade’s new command sergeant major, accepted the brigade’s colors from Col. Douglas Crissman, the commander of the 3rd BCT, 1st Cav. Div., signifying the transfer of responsibility.

“Every day I put this uniform on I feel a sense of pride, knowing I am a soldier serving my country in the most powerful army the world has ever known,” he said. “Greywolf troopers, I will be the standard bearer; we will ensure you know the standards and we will hold you to them.”

He said he was proud to be the brigade’s command sergeant major and excited to be a part of the Greywolf team.

Kelley enlisted in the Army July 16, 1985. He served in a variety of positions including a tank driver, gunner and commander, platoon sergeant, observer controller and first sergeant. He has completed all levels of non-commissioned officer enlisted schools.

Before arriving at 3rd BCT, Kelley was the command sergeant major of 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment.

At the ceremony, Kelley, Crissman and retired Command Sgt. Maj. James Pippin, the former brigade command sergeant major, rode horseback in front of the formation of soldiers on the parade field, reviewing the troops.

The outgoing command sergeant major held his position with the Greywolf Brigade through their pre-deployment training in 2008, a year-long deployment to Mosul, Iraq, and re-integration training in 2010.

The ceremony was also a retirement ceremony for Pippin.

Brig. Gen. Daniel Allyn, the commanding general of the 1st Cavalry Division, awarded Pippin the Legion of Merit for 25 years of exceptional service to the Army.

In his farewell speech, Pippin addressed each member of the audience with a piece of wisdom, from his friends and family to his soldiers, leaders and peers.

Pippin said that he’d miss seeing the look of loyalty in his soldiers’ eyes.

“You’ve all heard the term ‘invasive leadership,’” he said. “This kind of leadership directly impacts soldiers to the point that when done correctly, those very soldiers will follow their leader into hell while wearing a pair of gasoline shorts.”

• Date Taken: 08.31.2010
• Date Posted: 09.07.2010 13:39
• Story ID: 55849
• Location: FORT HOOD, TX, US