91st TD goes through leadership change

Photo By Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely | Maj. Gen. Scottie D. Carpenter, commanding general of the 84th Training Command, accepts the 91st Training Division unit colors from Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory S. Chatman, 91st TD, to pass to Brig. Gen. Chris Gentry, the incoming commander for the 91st TD, during an assumption of command ceremony, May 17, 2015. Later that day, Chatman handed his position as command sergeant major to Sgt. Maj. James C. Carey, not pictured. (Photo by U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely, 91st Training Division Public Affairs)  

FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, UNITED STATES

05.17.2015

Story by Staff Sgt. Dayan Neely 

91st Training Division (Operations)

FORT HUNTER-LIGGETT, Calif. -- The 91st Training Division gained a new commander and command sergeant major, during two separate ceremonies, May 17, 2015.

On Sunday morning, Brig. Gen. Chris Gentry assumed command of the 91st TD, as the former commander, Brig. Gen. Jon D. Lee, retired from the Reserve Army in April. Similar honors were given to the incoming commander as the outgoing, such as presentation of the national and unit colors and a 13-round cannon volley, which was a deferred honor passed on from Maj. Gen. Scottie D. Carpenter, the guest speaker and commanding general of the 84th Training Command.

Carpenter spoke about Lee's accomplishments as former commanding general and the potential that Gentry showed in future success.

"Anybody that knows Gen. Lee," said Carpenter, "knows that he is a Soldier's Soldier, that he leads from the heart, and that he cares about each individual Soldier."

Carpenter said about Gentry, "I am just so impressed with his intelligence and his smarts. It's great to have someone that has a [military intelligence] background."

"I can tell you that you will get 150 percent from him," Carpenter added. "He's a hard worker, and he's a family man."

Gentry addressed the Soldiers in attendance and formation, praising the outcome of hard work and great leadership in the 91st.

He spoke about the great success the 91st accomplished under Lee and offered his guidance and leadership to build upon the solid foundation already in place.

Gentry comes to the 91st TD after two years of active duty service as the deputy commanding general of the Eighth Army, Sustainment. He has spent 33 years in active and reserve service with the Army.

Gentry is a graduate of Indiana University, Bloomington, with a bachelor's degree in history. He commissioned after graduation in 1982. He has extensive experience as a military intelligence officer and as an officer in the military police field. In 2008, he earned his master's degree in public administration from Tennessee State University in Nashville. He also holds a master's degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College. Gentry is a graduate from the Federal Bureau of Investigations' national academy, among other prestigious law enforcement seminars and institutes.

Along with his many service decorations, Gentry has been awarded the Legion of Merit, the Bronze Star Medal, the Combat Action Badge, Army Parachutist Badge, and the Army Air Assault Badge.

When not serving the needs of the Army, Gentry still serves the needs of a community as a deputy police chief for the city of Franklin, Tenn.

After a reception for the General's ceremony, the 91st held a change of responsibility ceremony. This is a ceremony that welcomes a new command sergeant major and bids farewell to the outgoing command sergeant major.

With three years with the 91st TD and 33 years in the Army, Command Sgt. Maj. Gregory S. Chatman is handing the reigns over and moving on to another chapter of his life- retirement. Stepping up to the new responsibility is Sgt. Maj. James C. Carey.

"He is an outstanding [noncommissioned officer]," stated Gentry of Chatman. "He is the epitome of what we expect and what we want in our command Sgts. Maj., and he always, always, always has the Soldiers' welfare and training at heart."

Chatman enlisted in the Army in 1982 and has worked as a mechanic and in the medical field most of his career.

Among his many decorations, Chatman is a recipient of the Purple Heart. He is a member of the Prestigious Order of Military Medical Merit and the national Infantry Association's Order of St. Maurice. He has also earned his associate's degree in administrative management from West Valley Community College.

Taking over, Carey has a big task ahead of him, but was given a vote of confidence from both Gentry and Chatman.
"I know that you're going to take the responsibilities and the good work that Sgt. Maj. Chatman has achieved and build on it," said Gentry to Carey. "You've got some big shoes to fill ... I know that you're up to the task and that you'll do the job well."

Carey, a native of Seaside, Calif., entered the Army in 1983. He has served in the active duty, National Guard, and Army Reserves in his 32 years of Soldiering. He is also a combat veteran of Operation Desert Storm.

"That's a hard act to follow," said Carey. "I will do my best..."

• Date Taken: 05.17.2015
• Date Posted: 05.18.2015 17:55
• Story ID: 163717
• Location: FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CA, US
• Hometown: SEASIDE, CA, US