TULLAHOMA, Tenn. – Just one short year after the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new LEED certified Tullahoma Readiness Center, members of the 30th Troop Command assembled their units for a celebration. The first birthday, complete with cake and red, white, and blue dipped strawberries, was commemorated with a change of responsibility ceremony for the 30th Troop Command; their gift – Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Butler.
Butler, born and raised in Tennessee, has a storied career, with 20 years total service comprised of both active duty and National Guard service. His military career in the Infantry, Artillery, Military Police, and Cavalry fields, has taken him to numerous countries with the most recent being a deployment to Iraq. With a wealth of knowledge, leadership experience, and awards to prove his place as the 30th’s new leader, Butler was warmly welcomed and proudly presented by the outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Terry Scott.
Scott shared his fond memories and words of appreciation as he said farewell to the soldiers of the 30th Troop Command, and then took his place across from Butler to pass the NCO sword – a tradition where one passes responsibility to the next leader. The NCO sword, presented by the NCO of the Year, was unsheathed as Col. Carla Decker performed the ceremonial honors.
After the sword was passed and then put back to rest in its sheath, signifying Butler as the new noncommissioned officer in charge, Scott received a sword of his own. Black Stetsons worn by the Cavalry soldiers surrounded Scott to present him with the surprise gift. He was remembered for saying that he wanted an NCO sword of his own one day – today was his day.
While Butler takes on his new role in the 30th Troop Command, his predecessor, Scott, will remain in the 30th Troop family. He will on a new role of his own, as the new command sergeant major of the 230th Sustainment Brigade. When you stop by to visit, you just might see an NCO sword, given to him by his soldiers, hanging proudly on his wall behind him.