Photo By Sgt. Laurie Ellen Wash | Command Sgt. Maj. Michael A. Ferrusi (left) and Command Sgt. Maj. Walter A. Tagalicud...... read more read more
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Story by Pvt. Laurie Ellen Schubert
5th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
In a scene of deja vu, Command Sgt. Maj. Walter A. Tagalicud passed the America’s First Corps colors to Command Sgt. Maj. Michael Ferrusi in a change of responsibility ceremony at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash., Jan. 22.
“You know this is not the first time we have done this,” Tagalicud said. “We have done this before in Afghanistan. We’ve known each other and have been really good friends since then.”
This is Ferrusi’s third duty station as a command sergeant major. Before coming to JBLM, he was the former command sergeant major for the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C.
“I want to personally thank Command Sergeant Major Walter Tagalicud,” Ferrusi said. “I’ve known him a very long time – and it’s true that we did a change over once before in theater.”
Tagalicud will become the United States Forces Korea command sergeant major at Camp Humphreys, South Korea, for his next assignment.
“Maybe he’ll replace me in Korea,” Tagalicud said.
As the I Corps command sergeant major, Ferrusi said he will continue one of Tagalicud’s initiatives – lowering the number of nondeployable Soldiers within the corps.
“Are you ready?” Ferrusi said to I Corps Soldiers at the ceremony. “Are you ready to deploy tonight? Readiness and being ready to deploy right now is not a bumper sticker, it’s not a just a motto or something we like to say. Readiness will always be our number one priority.”
Under the supervision of Tagalicud, I Corps went from an average of 15 percent Soldiers classified as nondeployable to the current 7 percent.
“The corps is well on our way to making 5 percent – something unheard of in our Army over a year ago,” Volesky said.
Tagalicud made a lasting impact on I Corps and JBLM. However, I Corps and JBLM will not only miss Tagalicud but also his wife, Carolyn Tagalicud. Carolyn made a noticeable impact on JBLM, mainly through her volunteer work. Her efforts working with Santa’s Castle influenced the increased reach of the program with many children benefiting from her work.
“Carolyn’s oversight and ability to organize and work with the staff resulted in over 2,000 children receiving toys for Christmas this year, most of whom would not have otherwise,” Volesky said. “This is just one of the many significant contributions she has made during her time here at JBLM.”
Volesky’s wife, Leanne Volesky, worked with Carolyn during her volunteer efforts and became a battle buddy to Carolyn just as much as the lieutenant general became a battle buddy to the command sergeant major.
“We’re both losing our best battle buddies,” Volesky said.
With a final farewell to his battle buddy, Volesky awarded Tagalicud with the Legion of Merit. Volesky believed this award holds significance to the recipient because of Tagalicud’s roots at JBLM.
“We’re going to miss you,” Volesky said. “Here’s just a piece of ribbon that I hope, when you see it on your uniform, it reminds you of all the folks here and the huge contribution and legacy that you’ve left.”
| Date Taken: | 01.22.2019 |
| Date Posted: | 01.23.2019 16:13 |
| Story ID: | 307963 |
| Location: | JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, WA, US |
| Web Views: | 358 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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