A message for the troops

Photo By Sgt. 1st Class Angel Martinez-Navedo | Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth M. Graham, recently appointed command sergeant major for the 20th Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives (CBRNE) Command, gives his speech during his Assumption of Responsibility ceremony at the Stark Recreation Center in Aberdeen Proving Ground on March 4.  

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, UNITED STATES

03.21.2016

Story by Staff Sgt. Angel Martinez-Navedo 

20th CBRNE Command

ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. - After a few weeks of assuming responsibilities as the highest ranking enlisted member of the 20th CBRNE Command (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, Nuclear, Explosives), Command Sgt. Maj. Kenneth M. Graham, sent a message to his troops.

First, I want you, our Soldiers, to understand that the 20th CBRNE Commands values are the Army's values. Everything we do ought to pass through two very important filters: values and safety. If all else fails we must be resilient so that we can bounce back quickly. Our values are more than just words. When inculcated they form our identity, culture and ultimately help us perform better as a Team.

Second, you need to know that you belong to a very unique organization, which is unlike any other formation in our Army. Over the past several years the 20th CBRNE Command and its subordinate units have done an exceptional job at adding value to our Army. We are now at a point in history where our command and its breadth of unique CBRNE capabilities are more understood, recognized and desired than ever before. That alone should be a catalyst that promotes enormous pride and spirit de corps within our ranks. I want our NCOs to demonstrate and remind them of this at every opportunity as will I.

Third, young Soldiers, with help from their leaders, need to master the fundamentals first. With effective counseling and training, Soldiers should not have any doubt what is expected of them. The fundamentals that I am referring to support the CG’s priorities of Leader Training, Shoot, Move, Communicate, Medicate and Sustain. For example, can you shoot your weapon, treat a casualty, move tactically both mounted and dismounted without getting lost, write effectively, put a radio into operation and pass an APFT. These are just some examples but they are all fundamental tasks that we all need to know how to do including me.

Finally, I want every Soldier and Civilian in the command to have my email address and to know that my door is always open.

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• Date Taken: 03.21.2016
• Date Posted: 03.21.2016 12:45
• Story ID: 193051
• Location: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, MD, US
• Hometown: FORT CAVAZOS, TX, US
• Hometown: FORT KNOX, KY, US
• Hometown: FORT LIBERTY, NC, US
• Hometown: FORT MCCLELLAN, AL, US
• Hometown: WARREN, OH, US