Photo By Sgt. Michael Roach | Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Barajas, 1st Infantry Division Artillery senior noncommissioned...... read more read more
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A Change of Responsibility ceremony conducted by 1st Infantry Division Artillery doubled as a retirement ceremony for Command Sgt. Maj. Jonathan Stephens Dec. 13 at King Field House, Fort Riley, Kansas.
“This ceremony has three purposes,” said Col. Rory Crooks, DIVARTY commander. “It’s not only to farewell Command Sgt. Major Stephens from DIVARTY, but is also to farewell him from the Army. This is a concurrent ceremony. It is his retirement ceremony. The third (reason) it is to welcome the Barajas family to the ‘Drumfire’ team.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Jose Barajas is the incoming senior noncommissioned officer for the DIVARTY.
A special award presentation at the 1st Inf. Div. Museum preceded the ceremony. There, Stephens and his wife, Dawn, received multiple accolades for their combined contributions to DIVARTY, 1st Inf. Div. and the surrounding community.
“I never expected to be here, at this point,” Stephens said, before the presentation. “I’m incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to serve, especially in the ‘Big Red One.’”
Stephens’ advice for new and future Soldiers after nearly 27 years of service was simple.
“Embrace the Army values and treat people like they should be treated,” Stephens said. “That’s the best advice I can give somebody.”
Crooks made certain to thank the outgoing command sergeant major while welcoming the incoming Barajas family.
“We throw around the term hero pretty lightly in this country, I am not going to throw it around lightly,” Crooks said. “In my opinion, (Stephens) is an authentic American hero, he is a servant leader and he is a team builder.”
Crooks then welcomed Barajas, a Big Red One veteran who previously held responsibility at 1st Battalion, 7th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Inf. Div.
“Drumfire Soldiers, thank you for your continued sacrifice; your example of servitude is what makes this country great,” Barajas said. “Ladies and gentlemen, I stand before you as a humble servant of the profession. I am excited, humbled and grateful for the opportunity to work alongside the Drumfire and BRO teams and to live amongst the great people of the Flint Hills community.”
Stephens took a moment to reflect on what gave his career meaning during his farewell remarks at the ceremony.
“My most important charge is the welfare and readiness of the Soldier,” Stephens said. “Without the Soldier there is no command sergeant major. There is no purpose in the grade or rank without the Soldiers. So for that, I undoubtedly owe you my respect and gratitude and you have it.”
Stephens then went on to praise the DIVARTY organization for their continued pursuit of excellence.
“This small group — ladies and gentlemen — has performed brilliantly during the warfighter, Division Artillery readiness test on three different continents and has greatly enabled two brigades and the division to fight the deep fight, to ensure that our maneuver brothers face the enemy in an unfair fight,” Stephens said. “My name is Command Sgt Maj. Jon Stevens, and I am a Big Red One Soldier for life.”
| Date Taken: | 12.13.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 12.15.2017 15:13 |
| Story ID: | 259125 |
| Location: | FORT RILEY, KS, US |
| Web Views: | 132 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ‘Drumfire’ bids farewell to Stephens, welcomes Barajas, by SGT Michael Roach, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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