Photo By Petty Officer 1st Class Julio Martinez | The Change of Responsibility ceremony for United States Army Element - North was held...... read more read more
During a change of responsibility ceremony March 9, the one word of advice outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Michelle Jones, U.S. Army Element-North senior enlisted leader gave her replacement was “listen.”
“When you come across a challenging moment, always go back to that word and most of all listen to your heart,” Jones told Command Sgt. Maj. Jeffrey Zak.
Jones said she has reflected on her two years as senior enlisted leader and thanked the two commanders she worked for, as well as the Soldiers she led – who she called the “unsung heroes.”
“You are a phenomenal group and the work you do in the service to the most seriously ill, wounded service men and women as well as the many beneficiaries that receive care here is above par,” she said.
The ceremony, held in Memorial auditorium, included the passing of the Battalion Colors, the National Anthem sung by Sgt. Danielle Vandiver and remarks by U.S. Army Element-North Commander Col. Tonya L. Dickerson.
She told of Jones’ many accomplishments during her tenure as senior enlisted leader. Those included:
• Increasing Troop Command Readiness to 89.6 percent.
• Overseeing the development of a comprehensive Expert Field Medical Badge train-up program, which resulted in 16 Soldiers earning the EFMB badge.
• Taking an active role in increasing weapons qualifications by more than 40 percent.
• Playing a key role in retention.
• Overseeing a basic leader core train up program, resulting in 28 Soldiers on the Commandants list.
• Taking part in two non-commissioned officer induction ceremonies.
“But her span of influence is not just with Army Soldiers,” Dickerson said. “She has served on numerous panels and forums, such as the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center Leadership Academy and the Joint Enlisted Leadership Forum, providing advice, counsel and mentorship to over 150 Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and civilian personnel on leadership challenges and career progression.”
Dickerson thanked Jones for her leadership and said she had been a great “battle buddy.”
In welcoming Zak, Dickerson said his many accomplishments and prior experience at WRNMMC would benefit the command.
“I’m excited to see all the new accomplishments to come under your leadership,” Dickerson said.
Zak said he was honored to come back to WRNMMC, where he previously worked as the Chief Clinical NCO.
“I was always in awe of the amazing things that happened at the greatest hospital in the military health system. To be able to return as a troop Command Sergeant Major is a wonderful privilege,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 03.15.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 03.15.2018 10:25 |
| Story ID: | 269458 |
| Location: | BETHESDA, MARYLAND, US |
| Web Views: | 101 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Zak Replaces Jones as USAE-North Senior Enlisted leader, by Andrew Damstedt, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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