Maintenance window scheduled to begin at February 14th 2200 est. until 0400 est. February 15th

(e.g. yourname@email.com)

Forgot Password?

    Defense Visual Information Distribution Service Logo

    South Carolina native retires after 30 years of service to the Country.

    South Carolina native retires after 30 years of service to the Country.

    Photo By Sgt. Toby Cook | Command Sgt. Maj. William “Bill’ Cave’s official Department of the Army photo....... read more read more

    FORT KNOX, KY, UNITED STATES

    08.08.2012

    Story by Sgt. Toby Cook 

    3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division

    FORT KNOX, Ky. — Soldiers of the 1st Battalion, 6th Field Artillery Regiment gathered at Fort Knox’s Duke Memorial on the morning of Aug. 8, but this time to honor and say goodbye to a living soldier.

    The 1-6 Commander, Lt. Col. Henry I.B. hosted a change of responsibility ceremony where outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. William “Bill” Cave relinquished responsibility of the battalion to the incoming senior advisor.

    Prior to the change of responsibility ceremony, Cave was awarded the Legion of Merit for “exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements.” He said the prestigious award was a final piece of his Army career.

    “It felt good to receive this award, I felt like it was something I worked hard for during my 30 years of military service,” said Cave. “It’s fitting that the Army awarded me the Legion of Merit as my final award in the United States Army after 30 years of faithful service to the nation.”

    A native of Sycamore, S.C., and graduate of Allendale Fairfax High School, Command Sgt. Maj. Cave entered active duty service on August of 1982. He said joining the Army wasn’t something he had always dreamed about after high school.

    “[It] was something I never anticipated until my senior year of high school,” said Cave. “I could have easily stayed and worked the small jobs around my home of Allendale County, but my ambitions and my dreams were much bigger. I wanted to be able to distinguish myself and stand out among my peers and others.”

    True to his words, Cave distinguished himself as he rose through the enlisted ranks, finally reaching the level of senior noncommissioned officer in the 1-6 FA, otherwise known as the battalion command sergeant major.

    “This was my ultimate goal, to at least serve as a command sergeant major,” said Cave. “I have achieved success and accomplished the mission by taking my men and women to Theater to face the enemy head on; I feel my track record, and work ethic speaks for itself.”

    After 30 years of service, he is ready to retire and move on to a new chapter in his life as a civilian and start enjoying some of the hobbies that he has been putting off for three decades.

    “[I want to] do some of the things I haven’t done in a long time, like going fishing,” said Cave. “Honestly, I can tell you I haven’t picked up a fishing pole within the last 30 years, so I will take out the time to go fishing.”

    He also added another top priority for his life during retirement.

    “I enjoy travel, I think this will be my number one hobby as I retire, not only travel across the United States but [also] internationally,” said Cave. “[Over] the next few years I have plans set to go various places across the world.”

    With Command Sgt. Maj. Cave’s exemplary military career in the rear view mirror, he leaves behind this important piece of advice for those aspiring to reach the higher ranks in the military.

    “Developing good work ethics and completing mission[s] assigned to you,” said Cave about the keys to his own successful career. “My work ethic was developed way before entering the military, and that’s the reason I succeed during the last 30 years of service. I think attention to detail and good work ethics makes all the difference in your work place.”

    For the man from small-town South Carolina, it was really a matter of doing as he was taught as a young boy.

    “The bottom line is being true to your roots and understanding where you came from, and as you progress in this world you should always think back to home, said Cave. “No matter what you achieve in life, you must always remember where you come from. Thanks to my number one fan, my mother Mattie, for a great jump start on life.”

    LEAVE A COMMENT

    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 08.08.2012
    Date Posted: 09.04.2012 10:43
    Story ID: 94188
    Location: FORT KNOX, KY, US
    Hometown: ALLENDALE, SC, US

    Web Views: 990
    Downloads: 1

    PUBLIC DOMAIN