Brig. Gen. Elwell attends 63rd BSB ceremony

Photo By Capt. Fernando Ochoa | Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Roberts, 63rd BSB incoming command sergeant major, speaks to his new unit during the change of responsibility ceremony at the George W. Dunaway Army Reserve Center in Sloan, Nev., Nov. 15, where he assumed the command sergeant major position from Command Sgt. Maj. John Beleno, who had led the unit for the last two years.  

SLOAN, NV, UNITED STATES

11.15.2015

Story by Capt. Fernando Ochoa 

311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command   

SLOAN, Nev. – Brig. Gen. David Elwell, 311th Expeditionary Sustainment Command commanding general, attended the change of responsibility ceremony at the George W. Dunaway Army Reserve Center in Sloan, Nevada, Nov. 15, where 63rd Brigade Support Battalion Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Roberts assumed the command sergeant major position from Command Sgt. Maj. John Beleno, who had led the unit for the last two years.

Command Sgt. Maj. Roberts, a Montana native, enlisted into the Army Oct. 18, 1990. His military education includes Military Police, Military Police and Criminal Investigations Course, Nuclear Biological Chemical Course, Northern Warfare Course, Jungle Expert Course, Light Fighter Leaders Course and Sergeant Majors Academy Course. Roberts currently resides in Port Orchard, Washington, where he owns and operates a multidivisional company.

Command Sgt. Maj. Roberts was energized and ready to assume his new assignment. “I’m very excited for this new challenge and look forward to meeting all of the new faces,” said Roberts. “My goal is to take this unit from its current ranking of number two to number one in the division.”

The skies were clear, but a gust of wind made the flags stand up at the Sloan Reserve Center. The unit’s Soldiers and guests in attendance enjoyed a pleasant event.

Lt. Col. Debra Cisney, 63rd Brigade Support Battalion commander, was very thankful for Beleno’s contributions to the unit, getting the unit into shape, and welcomed Roberts to the 63rd BSB family.

The transfer of colors is significant in many ways. They are the building blocks for the future of achievement. The ceremony began with the traditional ceremonial pageantry. The audience stood for the presentation of the colors and honors, and the units were brought to present arms, then to parade rest. These displays of uniformity were executed with discipline and precision.

Brig. Gen. Elwell addressed the 63rd BSB with enthusiasm. After the tragedy in Paris, he knew that there might be a call to duty. The general always emphasizes the importance of training, but this time there was a more serious tone in his voice.

“I’m here to tell you to be ready! The U.S. Army is the greatest fighting force in the world and there is going to be a time when we will be called to perform our job, and so, I tell you to make sure you are qualified and prepared,” said Brig. Gen. Elwell. “We are not going to allow terrorists to come here and kill innocent Americans! And, if we have to, we will take the fight to them!”

The 63rd BSB officially activated Oct. 21, 2012, at Nellis Air Force Base in Las Vegas. The battalion is one of three in the U.S. Army Reserve that is structured to support the Maneuver Enhancement Brigades with all classes of supply, field maintenance and transportation in a constant changing environment.

The 63rd BSB can rapidly mobilize and deploy anywhere globally and provide sustained logistical support to organic units that occupy the Maneuver Enhancement Brigade theatre of operation.

• Date Taken: 11.15.2015
• Date Posted: 11.20.2015 12:11
• Story ID: 182457
• Location: SLOAN, NV, US