Subscribe
FORT CAVAZOS, Texas – Command Sergeant Major Arthur “Cliff” Burgoyne Jr., the esteemed senior enlisted leader of the III Armored Corps, is set to retire after an exceptional 37-year career in the United States Army.
As he bids farewell to the Great Place, Burgoyne took a moment to reflect on his transformative journey and shared insightful experiences from his time at Fort Cavazos.
Burgoyne’s remarkable military career spans nearly four decades, commencing in September 1986 when he joined the Louisiana National Guard. The pivotal transition to active duty at then-Fort Hood in December 1992 marked a significant milestone in his career. However, his appointment as the III Corps senior enlisted advisor in 2020 proved to be a defining moment.
“I arrived here in July of 2020. We relocated from Fort Bragg, North Carolina,” reminisced Burgoyne during a recent interview for the Great Big Podcast. Coinciding with III Armored Corps’ deployment to lead the Combined Joint Task Force – Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq, Burgoyne collaborated closely with Maj. Gen. John Richardson, the deputy commanding general of III Armored Corps at the time, to chart a strategic path forward.
Recognizing the dynamic landscape of military service and the evolving characteristics of Soldiers, Burgoyne emphasized the importance of adaptation. Working alongside Brig. Gen. Brett Sylvia, then the deputy commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, he sought to understand better and communicate with the new generation of Soldiers.
“With the assistance of Brigadier General Sylvia, we embarked on the endeavor of improving our communication with the Soldiers of today,” Burgoyne explains. “Having joined the Army in the eighties, specifically 1980, I am well aware of the differences between then and 2020.”
Reflecting on his upbringing, Burgoyne attributes his unwavering military ethos, particularly the value of teamwork, to his formative experiences. His active participation in various sports during his school years, encouraged by his parents, instilled within him the importance of camaraderie and being a reliable team player. This sense of unity continues to fuel his dedication to military service.
“The opportunity to serve alongside remarkable individuals is one of the most rewarding aspects. I grew up participating in sports throughout my school years,” Burgoyne explains. “My parents insisted that I engage in activities such as baseball, basketball and football, allowing me to excel as a valuable team member.”
As he prepares to retire, Burgoyne remains resolute in maintaining his physical fitness. Committed to regular functional fitness routines, encompassing exercises like lunges and deadlifts to strengthen his core, he aims to sustain his enduring passion for golf. With a long-term goal of achieving a game score equivalent to his age, he emphasizes the necessity of staying in shape to fulfill this ambition.
“At 57 years old, my aspiration is to shoot my age on the golf course in about 15 years,” Burgoyne shared enthusiastically. “To accomplish this, it is imperative that I maintain my physical fitness.”
Throughout his 37-year tenure, Burgoyne forged a profound connection and affinity for the Army. He likens his experience to a tight-knit family, emphasizing his place within the Army’s embrace. “The Army has embraced me for 37 years, and I consider myself part of the Army family. My wife and I have made plans to return to the Central Texas area, residing near our loved ones,” Burgoyne reveals.
Burgoyne shared that he received an email recently with thought-provoking advice from a trusted mentor. The words encapsulate his ongoing personal and professional growth, urging him to pursue education and discover new purposes. The mentor’s message reinforced that retirement does not signify quitting; rather, it represents a transition to new endeavors while maintaining the same intensity and love that Burgoyne held for the Army.
“Even as you transition to the retiree role, educate yourself and find new purposes. Retirement does not equate to giving up; instead, approach it with the same passion and fervor you have exhibited throughout your Army career,” the mentor wrote, leaving a lasting impact on Burgoyne.
| Date Taken: | 06.01.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 12.29.2023 16:25 |
| Story ID: | 460971 |
| Location: | FORT CAVAZOS, TEXAS, US |
| Web Views: | 23 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Journey of service, transformation, by Eric Franklin, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
