SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. – During a ceremony that emphasized the role of Army noncommissioned officers, Command Sgt. Maj. Stephan Frennier assumed responsibility of Third Army/ ARCENT in front of Patton Hall, Sept. 16.
During the ceremony, Third Army/ ARCENT bid farewell to Command Sgt. Maj. John D. Fourhman, Third Army/ ARCENT senior enlisted advisor. Fourhman retired after more than 36 years of honorable military service.
“Our nation has been served exceedingly well by this noncommissioned officer,” said Lt. Gen. Vincent K. Brooks, Third Army/ ARCENT Commanding General. Brooks thanked Fourhman and his wife, Cindy, for everything they had done for soldiers throughout the Army.
During the ceremony the traditional passing of the colors from the command sergeant major to the commanding general represented the transfer of responsibility for the accomplishment of the mission and welfare of the soldiers. The colors represent the lineage and honors of the unit as well as the loyalty and unity of its soldiers. This signified Fourhman’s last act of allegiance to the commander.
Fourhman said although the future holds many challenges for the Army, he is not concerned because he knows NCOs will ensure the accomplishment of the mission.
The transfer of the colors from Brooks to Frennier signified the trust and confidence that our Army places in the NCO corps. Frennier’s first act of allegiance to the commander was to accept the unit’s colors.
“In our Army the NCO fulfills a critical role and gives us a true competitive advantage over all the other armies in the world,” said Brooks.
Frennier has held many positions during his 31 years of service, including command sergeant major of the United States Army Recruiting Command. Prior to arriving at Third Army/ ARCENT he served as the command sergeant major for the United States Forces-Iraq deputy commanding general (Advising and Training) in Baghdad.
As the senior enlisted advisor for the Army’s longest continuously deployed warfighting headquarters, Frennier will participate in operations from Third Army/ ARCENT’s Main Command Post in Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Forward Command Post in Kuwait, ARCENT Support Element-Iraq and ARCENT Coordination Support Element- Afghanistan. Third Army serves as the Army’s longest continuously deployed warfighting headquarters, currently operating from four distinct locations to include its Main Command Post in Shaw Air Force Base, S.C., Forward Command Post in Kuwait, ARCENT Support Element-Iraq, and ARCENT Coordination Support Element- Afghanistan.