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FORT CAMPBELL, KY.- The 101st Division Artillery Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, held a change of responsibility ceremony May 10.
During the ceremony, Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest Warner relinquished responsibility as the senior enlisted advisor to Command Sgt. Maj. Elroy Grant.
Soldiers, Family, friends, and partners from across Fort Campbell, Clarksville, Hopkinsville, and surrounding areas, came out for the ceremony.
The senior enlisted advisor also serves as the keeper of the unit’s colors. This honor is passed from Warner to Grant, during the traditional part of the ceremony of passing of colors.
After the passing of the unit’s colors, the symbolic relinquishing of responsibility, the presiding officer, Maj. Kurt Knoedler, the DIVARTY deputy commanding officer, spoke about the outgoing and incoming command sergeant majors. In his speech he spoke about the role of a command sergeant major.
Knoedler recalled being a young officer and not understanding the role of the command sgt. maj., and looking it up in the Army Training Publication 3-09.90, Division Artillery Operations and Fire Support for the Division. The explanation in the publication did not help him to fully understand the role the senior enlisted advisor plays.
He did learn this years later from Command Sgt. Maj. Warner.
“It was not until I experienced firsthand the unmeasurable impact Command Sgt. Maj. Warner has had on the DIVARTY as an organization as well as the leaders and Soldiers within, could I find the answer,” Knoedler said.
Knoedler learned and came to understand and appreciate that the command sergeant major is the trainer, senior enlisted advisor and confidant to the commander.
“Command Sgt. Maj. Warner was truly the standard bearer to the brigade,” Knoedler said. “He is never comfortable with good enough or meeting the minimum standard.”
The impact Warner has had in being the standard bearer over the last 24 months can be seen in the successes of DIVARTY, and in their winning, fighting spirit. The field artillery support across the battalions and brigades have included Brigade Combat Field Exercises, Warfighter Exercises at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Drum, New York, and Fort Campbell, Joint Readiness Training Center rotations, Network Integration Evaluation, and Operation Freedom Sentinel.
Just the week prior, the United States Field Artillery School announced that C Battery, 1st Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st DIVARTY, 101st, as the winner of the Henry A. Knox Award, as the best Active Component firing battery in the United States Army.
Warner has respect for those who have served before and are currently serving. After providing thanks for all the support he has received during his time as the DIVARTY command sergeant major, Warner began his outgoing speech. He stated what an honor, and how he has been humbled over the past 24 months.
“I am proud to serve in the ranks, filled with courageous men and women that are willing to serve our country,” Warner said.
As he reflected his time with DIVARTY over the past two years, Warner spoke about the future. This included writing the next chapter of DIVARTY’s unit history and being prepared to provide devastating artillery fires support.
He then spoke words of encouragement about his replacement.
“Command Sergeant Major Grant, you are inheriting a great organization, the Soldiers are well trained and disciplined,” said Warner. “I am looking forward to seeing and hearing, of all the great accomplishments you will undertake with the DIVARTY. You are the right team to take DIVARTY to new highs.”
The passing of the colors might be the official change of responsibility, Warner joked after his speech as the outgoing command sgt. maj. that there is an unofficial change of responsibility.
As Grant was walking to the podium as the incoming command sgt. maj. for his speech, Warner commented that the unofficial change comes with the passing of the government provided cell phone.
Grant acknowledged the accomplishments of the DIVARTY the past two years with Warner as the command sgt. maj., and accepted the challenge to propel DIVARTY to new highs.
“It is important to maintain continuity as we all know,” Grant said. “But it is just as important to welcome change.”
Knoedler spoke about Grant’s reputation as a leader and trainer.
“He most assuredly will continue to grow the reputation of the 101st DIVARTY and its battalions as the best artillery organizations in the United States Army,” Knoedler said about Grant.
Grant finished his remarks with a reminder.
“Whenever our nation calls, remain calm and call for fire,” he said.
| Date Taken: | 05.10.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 05.18.2018 12:57 |
| Story ID: | 277520 |
| Location: | FORT CAMPBELL, KY, US |
| Web Views: | 250 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Ceremony marks 101st DIVARTY Change of Responsibility, by MAJ Jennifer Cruz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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