CAMP SMITH TRAINING SITE, CORTLANDT MANOR, N.Y. – New York Army National Guard Command Sergeant Major Thomas Ciampolillo took over the responsibilities of the top non-commissioned officer in the 53rd Troop Command during ceremonies here on Sunday, Oct. 14.
Ciampolillo, the former Command Sgt. Major of the 106th Troop command, replaces, Command Sgt. Major Corey Cush, who has held the job since 2014.
Cush will become the 42nd Infantry Division command sergeant major, responsible for more than half of the Soldiers in the entire New York Army National Guard.
The division also has a training relationships with Army National Guard elements in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and New Jersey.
The ceremony took place before two-hundred New York Army National Guard Soldiers, along with the rows of distinguished visitors, families and guests at the Camp Smith parade field. Four UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters formed a back drop the ceremony,
The central part of the ceremony was the passing of the Non-Commissioned Officer’s sword from Cush to Ciampolillo. The tradition signifies the new responsibility of the senior NCO in the command for good order and discipline among the troops.
The presentation of the NCO sword to Ciampolillo was made by Brig. Gen. Michele Natali, the commander of the 53rd Troop Command, and was symbolic of Ciampolillo’ s responsibility to care for the troops of the command.
Ciampolillo, who served first as an enlisted sailor before joining the New York Army National Guard, brings 38 years of combined service to the 53rd Troop Command, with experience in infantry, armor, air defense and military police units throughout his career. He served with the 42nd Infantry Division in Iraq in 2005.
“It’s a good day to be an American Soldier,” Ciampolillo said. “I’m looking forward to serving with all the members of the 53rd Troop Command.”
In his remarks, Natali praised Cush for his service.
“Over the past four years I have personally witnessed you counsel, mentor, challenge and inspire our Soldiers to work and grow and become their best,” Natali said. “Your genuine commitment to the New York Army National Guard and to the Soldiers and families of the 53rd Troop Command is nothing less than exceptional.”
The 53rd Troop Command has nearly 4,000 Soldiers with a wide range of military occupational specialties including combat engineers, military police, explosive ordnance disposal, sustainment and logistics.
The command deployed hundreds of troops to Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands in the fall of 2017, providing hurricane recovery and relief efforts and currently has Soldiers deployed to the Middle East, Southwest Asia and Afghanistan.
Cush, a former amateur boxer, said he was inspired by Joe Louis, heavyweight boxing champion from 1937-1949. In recognition of this, the Soldiers and command presented Cush with a plaque, depicting a photo of Louis surrounded by all of the 53rd Troop Command subordinate unit crests.
Cush, a veteran of the War in Afghanistan, with more than 32 years of military service, said he appreciated his time with Soldiers he considers “the best of the best” and is eager for the next challenge that lies ahead.
“Today is a bittersweet day for me,” Cush said. “Bitter as I leave the amazing Soldiers, NCOs and officers of the 53rd, and sweet as I’ve been trusted with the responsibility of becoming the command sergeant major of the 42nd Infantry Division.”