Troop Command, WBAMC welcomes new CSM

Photo By Marcy Sanchez | Command Sgt. Maj. Raul Vizcaino, outgoing command sergeant major, Troop Command, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, returns Troop Command's colors to Lt. Col. Stacey Freeman, commander, Troop Command, at WBAMC’s theater during a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 8. During the COR, Vizcaino, from El Paso, Texas, relinquished responsibility as command sergeant major, Troop Command, to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Fetzer, from Lewisburg, Pa.  

FORT BLISS, TX, UNITED STATES

01.25.2016

Story by Marcy Sanchez  

William Beaumont Army Medical Center

FORT BLISS, Texas - Troop Command, William Beaumont Army Medical Center, held a Change of Responsibility ceremony at WBAMC, Jan. 9.

Sergeant Maj. Raul Vizcaino, relinquished responsibilities as the command sergeant major of Troop Command, WBAMC, to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Fetzer, during the ceremony.

During the ceremony, Lt. Col. Stacey Freeman, commander of Troop Command, WBAMC, praised Vizcaino citing a Ronald Reagan quote stating, “The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things.

“You’ve (Vizcaino) touched many lives during your military career and encouraged many people to do the greatest things,” Freeman added. “There is nothing quite as appeasing as ending your military career with a successful command and beginning your civilian career.”

Vizcaino, a native of El Paso, Texas, served as command sergeant major for Troop Command, WBAMC since 2014 and will retire after 29 years of service in the Army.

Exemplifying tradition, Vizcaino handed an M1840 NCO sword that was gifted to him during a previous tour at WBAMC, to one of his Soldiers, an action epitomizing Vizcaino’s leadership.

“I do not know when, but the NCO sword will one day make its way back into our ceremonies,” said Vizcaino. “That’s just the way we roll in the Army.”

Although there are no regulations which guide the execution of a change of responsibility ceremony, the passing of the M1840 NCO sword is one of the traditions that some senior NCOs have carried on. The exchange signifies the senior NCO’s commitment to good order and discipline, and care for the troops of their units.

“You have an amazing group of talented people and soldiers here,” said Vizcaino while addressing Fetzer.

“You are the right leader, at the right time, this is your moment.”

Fetzer, a combat medic by trait, is a recent graduate of the U.S. Army’s Sergeants Major Academy, Sergeants Major Course and previously served with 1st Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas.

“Traditionally, the outgoing command sergeant major gets to showcase the Soldiers of their command to guests, unlike most CORs, the Soldiers of [WBAMC] are busy providing world-class healthcare to the El Paso and Fort Bliss communities, that is why they’re not participating in this ceremony,” said Fetzer, a native of Lewisburg, Pennsylvania. “As I walked through the hospital, it was apparent that [WBAMC] Soldiers are the best in the Army.”

Fetzer shares Vizcaino’s vision for NCO leadership and believes leaders should own their organization.

“I’m here to support them in their mission,” said Fetzer, “Everybody is in it together; our primary responsibility is to provide healthcare to the community.”

• Date Taken: 01.25.2016
• Date Posted: 01.25.2016 17:03
• Story ID: 187007
• Location: FORT BLISS, TX, US
• Hometown: EL PASO, TX, US
• Hometown: LEWISBURG, PA, US