Photo By Sgt. Ian Burns | U.S. Army Sgt. Maj. William Grzeszak, commander of troops for the ceremony, presents...... read more read more
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SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, Hawaii – U.S. Army Command Sgt. Maj. Michael R. Olivas relinquished responsibility as the command sergeant major of the 3rd Mobile Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, during a ceremony at F-Quad on Schofield Barracks, Hawaii, June 30, 2026.
Presided over by U.S. Army Col. David A. Brunais, commander of the 3rd Mobile Brigade, the ceremony honored Olivas’ leadership and service while formally returning responsibility for the brigade’s enlisted force to the commander.
The ceremony began with a performance by the 25th Infantry Division Hui Ha’a team, rooted in the Hawaiian Ha’a Koa or warrior dance. The tradition combines synchronized movements and chants to honor the division's fighting spirit, commemorate its history and reinforce the warrior ethos shared by Tropic Lightning Soldiers.
The relinquishment of responsibility ceremony is a longstanding traditional military ceremony that symbolizes the outgoing senior enlisted leader's final official act before formally transferring responsibility for the unit’s enlisted Soldiers back to the commander of the unit. The ceremony concludes with the return of the unit's colors symbolizing the completion of that responsibility.
Reflecting on Olivas‘ tenure, Brunais credited him with helping build a disciplined and mission-ready formation.
“With Mike (Olivas) as our command sergeant major,” Brunais said, “the brigade demonstrated mental and physical toughness, disciplined execution, and the ability to accomplish every task and mission–always reliable, lethal, and owning its fights.”
During the ceremony, Olivas returned the brigade colors to Brunais, marking the completion of his responsibilities as the brigade’s senior enlisted leader. Brunais then entrusted the colors to Sgt. Maj. William Grzeszk, the commander of troops for the ceremony.
Olivas is a native of Madera, California, and enlisted in the U.S. Army In October 2002 and Olivas attended one-station unit training at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and graduated as a cavalry scout in February 2003. Following his service with the 3rd Mobile Brigade, he will assume duties as the command sergeant major for the CJ3, United Stated Forces Korea.
“At the end of the day, you can’t spell ‘Broncos’ without NCOs,” Olivas said. “That is what made my time as your brigade command sergeant major so special: watching the sons and daughters of our nation become the best version of themselves.”
| Date Taken: | 06.30.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 07.01.2026 19:46 |
| Story ID: | 569098 |
| Location: | SCHOFIELD BARRACKS, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Bronco Brigade Holds Relinquishment of Responsibility Ceremony, by SGT Ian Burns, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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