Gardner relinquishes responsibility of 7 ATC

Photo By Staff Sgt. Christopher Stewart | U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. William Gardner II, the senior enlisted advisor of 7th Army Training Command (7 ATC) passes the colors to Brig. Gen. Christopher LaNeve, commander of 7 ATC, during his relinquishment of responsibility ceremony at the Grafenwoehr Fitness Center, May 21, 2019. The relinquishment of responsibilities is the passing of responsibility from one senior enlisted advisor to another. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Christopher Stewart)  

GRAFENWOEHR, BY, GERMANY

05.21.2019

Story by Sgt. Christopher Stewart 

7th Army Training Command

Grafenwoehr, Germany— Command Sgt. Maj. William L. Gardner II, the senior enlisted advisor for the 7th Army Training Command (7th ATC), bid farewell to the command during a relinquishment of responsibility (ROR) ceremony at the Tower Barracks Fitness Center, May 21, 2019.

Gardner spent the last two years connecting with local leaders and Soldiers stationed in Bavaria.

“My love of the Oberfalz (translated as Upper Palatinate, a district in Bavaria) is well known,” said Gardner. “I love the land and the people here.”

As the senior enlisted advisor, Gardner counseled Brig. Gen. Christopher LaNeve on all matters on enlisted Soldiers and their readiness within 7th ATC’s footprint. During the RoR, LaNeve commented on his great appreciation for Gardner’s consistency and performance.

“As the CSM for 7th ATC, Lou has had a hand in training and ensuring the readiness of every unit in U.S. Army Europe and a majority of our partners,” said LaNeve.

Gardner often shared highlights of his career which has spanned from private to sergeant major.

“I was at Camp Aachen as a private and we weren’t allowed to leave but I wanted to take a photo of the water tower,” Gardner said. “The CSM of 7th ATC at the time saw me on what was then a golf course; he gave me corrective training right there. I was sweating profusely. Nowadays when I walk out on that grass I can go to that spot and say I have DNA that remains on that parade field."

Gardner is scheduled to PCS to the Combat Readiness Center at Fort Rucker, Alabama this summer. He is scheduled to replace Command Sgt. Maj. Ernest D. Bowen, Jr.

“I’m very pleased to say that this was the highlight of my career,” said Gardner.

• Date Taken: 05.21.2019
• Date Posted: 05.22.2019 12:04
• Story ID: 323426
• Location: GRAFENWOEHR, BY, DE