SD Guard’s 196th MEB receives new senior NCO leadership

Photo By Sgt. Mark VanGerpen | Command Sgt. Maj. Alan Meyer inspects the noncommissioned officers’ sword during a change of responsibility ceremony Sept. 07 in Sioux Falls. Inspecting the sword is a traditional gesture symbolizing a sergeant major’s first act as a unit’s senior enlisted leader. Meyer assumed responsibility for the 196th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade from Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Mettler, who had served in the position since 2016.  

SIOUX FALLS, SD, UNITED STATES

09.10.2019

Courtesy Story

South Dakota National Guard Public Affairs   

Meyer, of Sioux Falls, assumed responsibility from Command Sgt. Maj. Todd Mettler, who served in the position since 2016.

As the unit’s senior NCO, Meyer is responsible for advising the unit commander, Col. David Daily, on all aspects of the brigade’s enlisted Soldiers, providing guidance and mentorship to those Soldiers, and assisting in ensuring the brigade is prepared to handle all missions it is assigned.

The 196th MEB is a multifaceted unit responsible for enhancing and protecting operational and tactical freedom of action for a supported maneuver force.

“It is an honor and a privilege to be your command sergeant major,” Meyer said. “Command Sgt. Maj. Mettler is leaving the brigade in a great place, and I look forward to the chance to help continue to improve it.”

Meyer emphasized the need to focus on Army standards and discipline in order to excel in times of increasing operational tempo. He also stressed the need to keep service members’ families informed of military events and training, as their support is integral to the success of the unit.

“I want to say thank you to everybody,” Mettler said, who is now assigned to Joint Force Headquarters as the G3 operations command sergeant major. “We’ve built a great brigade here; we truly have. I look forward to working with you all in the future.”

Meyer enlisted in the military in 1986 as a field artilleryman at Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Since then he has served in multiple assignments across South Dakota to include units in Sioux Falls, Canton, Salem, Mitchell, Fort Meade and Watertown. He also deployed to Iraq in 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

• Date Taken: 09.10.2019
• Date Posted: 10.22.2019 17:40
• Story ID: 348761
• Location: SIOUX FALLS, SD, US