Fort Bragg-based Army Reserve two-star command changes senior enlisted Soldier

Photo By Master Sgt. Mark Bell | Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Bennett (right) passes the sword to Maj. Gen. Daniel Ammerman, the commanding general of U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne), during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony held at Fort Bragg, N.C., Oct 24. Ammerman transferred the senior enlisted duties and responsibilities of more than 13,000 Soldiers from Bennett to Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Running. USACAPOC(A) supports the Army and joint forces with strategic, operational and tactical Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and most recently Information Operations capabilities across the range of military operations. USACAPOC(A) has 94 percent of the Army’s General Purpose Forces’ CA Capability, 100 percent of the Army’s General Purpose Forces’ PSYOP Capability and 42 percent of the Army’s General Purpose Forces’ I/O Capability. The command also has oversight of all Army Reserve airborne operations. (Army Reserve photo by Master Sgt. Mark Bell/released)  

FORT BRAGG, NC, UNITED STATES

10.24.2015

Story by Master Sgt. Mark Bell 

U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne)

FORT BRAGG, N.C. - The Army Reserve's U.S. Army Civil Affairs and Psychological Operations Command (Airborne) senior enlisted Soldier transitioned during a Change of Responsibility Ceremony held around the main post flag pole Oct. 24.

Hundreds of Soldiers, family and friends watched as Maj. Gen. Daniel Ammerman, the commanding general of USACAPOC(A), transferred the senior enlisted duties and responsibilities of more than 13,000 Soldiers from Command Sgt. Maj. Harry Bennett to Command Sgt. Maj. Peter Running.

USACAPOC(A) supports the Army and joint forces with strategic, operational and tactical Civil Affairs, Psychological Operations and most recently Information Operations capabilities across the range of military operations.

Running, who is a Winneconne, Wisconsin, native, serves as Chief of Police for the Village of Winneconne.

Running joined the Army in 1983 where he served on active duty as a military policeman. After a short enlistment in the Wisconsin Army National Guard, he enlisted in the Army Reserve in 1988 as drill sergeant. Before selected as USACAPOC(A) command sergeant major, Running was the 353rd Civil Affairs Command's senior enlisted Soldier. The 353rd CACOM is based on Staten Island, New York.

Running said the success of his military career is the direct reflection of wife's unselfish support.

"I want to thank my wife, Jody, for the sacrifices she has made in the 32 years she's has been married to me as a Soldier," he said. "The time away, the travel, the emails, phone and conference calls. Thank you for supporting me all these years."

Running said he was excited to begin a new chapter of the Army Reserve's only airborne command.
"I look forward to the privilege of serving and working with you," he told the Soldiers standing in formation behind him. "Never forget where you came from, be the best Soldier you can, help others reach their potential, execute with perfection and train for excellence."

He said all Soldiers had the responsibility to coach and lead -- even in the face of adversity.
"Do what's right -- always," he said.

"Command Sgt. Maj. Running and your wife, Jody, I'd like to welcome both of you to the USACAPOC team," Ammerman said.

Ammerman said the transfer of authority represents the formal transition responsibilities and duties related to the order and discipline for the command and the care and maintenance of the Soldiers, civilians and families across 31 states and Puerto Rico.

He said it's been an honor to have Bennett standing by his side being a supporter for all Soldiers and families within the USACAPOC(A) formations.

"He has been a guardian of the Army standard and a real advocate for Soldier issues," he said. "In particular, he has been an advocate for Soldier retention and reenlistment."

With nearly 100 Advanced Individual Training Soldiers standing in formation off to the side, Bennett said Fort Bragg will always be home for him and his family.

One seat was left empty in the front row for Bennett's 20-year old daughter, Allison, who passed away this summer in a car accident.

"It's especially meaningful to me that you are all here with us in this beautiful field on this historical post," he said. "Fort Bragg has been our home for many years now, but this place is special. We got married in the Post Chapel, not far from here. We had Allison's service in the same place. That eternal flame right there burns for all our fallen, including the 48 USACAPOC Solders who have died in the global war on terrorism, some of whom were not much father into their career than these advanced individual training AIT Soldiers."

Bennett said he's proud of the non commissioned officer corps and what the stripes on his uniform represent.

"To me, they represent far more than the rank they stand for or even the history they come from," he said. "I would just say that I have been proud to help strengthen the stitching on the stripes from time to time throughout my career, especially here in USACAPOC(A), where so much of what we do relies on the quick thinking and ingenuity of NCOs at all levels.

After a visibly emotional speech, Bennett passed the reigns to Running with a handshake and hug.

USACAPOC(A) has 94 percent of the Army's General Purpose Forces' CA Capability, 100 percent of the Army's General Purpose Forces' PSYOP Capability and 42 percent of the Army's General Purpose Forces' I/O Capability. The command also has oversight of all Army Reserve airborne operations.

• Date Taken: 10.24.2015
• Date Posted: 10.25.2015 12:32
• Story ID: 179851
• Location: FORT BRAGG, NC, US
• Hometown: WINNECONNE, WI, US