FORT BLISS, Texas - Twenty-two years ago a newly assigned infantryman, Pvt. Ragusa, arrived to the 4th “Regulars” Battalion, 6th Infantry Regiment here.
In a twist of irony, Ragusa returned to the Regulars as the highest-ranking non-commissioned officer, a feat that he did not think was possible 22 years ago as a private in the same battalion.
Command Sgt. Major Isaac Ragusa took the helm of the Regulars from Command Sgt. Maj. Victor Pedraza, during a March 3 change-of-responsibility ceremony on Highlander Parade Field at East Fort Bliss.
The Regulars “hold a special place” for Ragusa, and he values the sacrifices that his soldiers have made serving their country during a time of war. From those sacrifices, soldiers can expect to receive a mutual respect, both up and down the chain of command, from their new command sergeant major.
“I believe that soldiers deserve good leadership wherever they go,” said Ragusa. “I want to be able to create a really good command climate, where soldiers enjoy coming to work and enjoy seeing the command.”
As the Regulars prepare for a rotation at the National Training Center at Fort Irwin, Calif., and an upcoming deployment, Ragusa will be a critical asset to the battalion, having combat experience at every rank from private to command sergeant major.
“I know where the Army is going when it comes to systems and technology,” he said. “I don’t know how they’re going to get there, but I can help this battalion bridge that gap.”
While the battalion embraces Ragusa’s arrival, they must bid farewell to a man that led them for the last two years.
As a command sergeant major, Pedraza said he feels as though he has accomplished his goal of establishing a battalion of physically and mentally fit soldiers who are trained and ready to fight in the fast-paced tempo of today’s modern battlefield.
Pedraza said he also takes great pride in having led his troops in a yearlong deployment in Iraq and bringing each soldier back safely with no casualties.
After leaving his mark and setting the tone for the Regulars, Pedraza is now gearing up for retirement after 30 years of service. In his time away from Army life, he said he hopes to use his military experience to help influence and guide future soldiers.
“I’ve always wanted to be a mentor and go to a Junior Reserve Officer Training Course program and mentor high school kids, and hopefully set them in the right direction for leadership and success,” said Pedraza.
“It’s been a great ride,” he said. “But eventually you have to get off and go do something else.”
| Date Taken: | 03.03.2011 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2011 09:49 |
| Story ID: | 76569 |
| Location: | FORT BLISS, TX, US |
| Web Views: | 313 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, CSM Ragusa takes helm of 4-6 Infantry, by MSG Brandon Bednarek, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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