FORT WADSWORTH, N.Y. – The 353rd Civil Affairs Command welcomed its new command sergeant major during a change of responsibility ceremony here, May 19, 2013. Command Sgt. Maj. Peter J. Running replaced Command Sgt. Maj. Robert M. Haglund, who will retire after 41 years of military service.
Haglund served as the 353rd senior enlisted leader from 2011 and was one of the last remaining Vietnam War veterans to serve actively in the U.S. Army.
"What has made the Army stronger over time has been the volunteer force because you have people that want to be here,” Haglund said. “I liked working with the troops and that’s what I’m going to miss about this job."
”Master Sgt. Detrius Guy, an operations noncommissioned officer in charge, 353rd CACOM, said Command Sgt. Maj. Haglund was not only a strong leader who enforced the rules stringently, but he also took care of the needs of his soldiers first.
“What will be most missed about Command Sgt. Maj. Haglund is his story telling and jokes,” Guy said. “He always had a good story to tell whether it was about Army life or about his days in the police force. Haglund really knew how to break the ice with people.”
Guy said that the incoming command sergeant major is not a stranger to the unit and has a reputation for striving for excellence just as Command Sgt. Maj. Haglund did as well.
“I know this command will continue to be the best because we always take great care of our soldiers,” Haglund said.”I know our soldiers will continue to get the schooling they need whether they’re officers or non commissioned officers and viable mission training to be successful.”
Command Sgt. Maj. Running comes to the 353rd after serving as the command sergeant major for the 308th Civil Affairs Brigade.
The change of responsibility ceremony is a tradition in which the passing of the noncommissioned officer’s sword symbolizes the honor and duty expected of the incoming noncommissioned officer who assumes their role in leadership. The passing of the saber signifies the relinquishing of responsibility and authority from the outgoing to the incoming command sergeant major.