ARLINGTON, Va. -- The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers conducted a Change of Responsibility ceremony between outgoing Command Sgt. Maj. Douglas W. Galick, the 15th USACE command sergeant major, and incoming Command Sgt. Maj. Shade Munday at Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, in Arlington, Virginia, Aug. 15.
The ceremony was followed by a retirement ceremony for Galick.
Lt. Gen. William H. “Butch” Graham Jr., 56th Chief of Engineers and USACE commanding general, served as host. A Change of Responsibility ceremony is a time-honored tradition that commemorates the symbolic relinquishment of responsibility and leadership from one senior noncommissioned officer to another by passing the organizational colors.
Galick became the USACE command sergeant major June 23, 2023. A 30-year Army veteran, this was Galick’s fifth assignment as a command sergeant major. His career also included six deployments, with three to Iraq and one each to Kosovo, Albania and Haiti.
“Today marks the transfer of responsibility but also the conclusion of an extraordinary Army career,” said Graham. “Command Sergeant Major Galick guided the Corps through one of the most significant periods in its recent history. From the transition between the 55th and 56th Chief of Engineers, to preparations for the Corps' 250th anniversary, and our nation's 250th anniversary, he provided the leadership we needed to accomplish the mission. He never lost sight of why we exist or who we serve.”
Graham also pointed to other areas that Galick touched while at USACE. “His presence also left a lasting mark on one of the Corps’ most visible public missions. He elevated the operational culture within our Recreation Program, strengthening the stewardship of our nation’s natural resources and improved the safety and quality of recreation experiences for millions of public visitors each year.”
USACE Deputy Commanding General Maj. Gen. Kirk E. Gibbs, who also worked with Command Sergeant Major Galick at the Pacific Ocean Division, offered up his thoughts on the outgoing command sergeant major. “Genuine, passionate for people, professional, that is what I think of when I think of Doug Galick.”
Munday becomes the 16th USACE command sergeant major by way of Fort Knox, Kentucky, where he served as the command sergeant major for the U.S. Army Recruiting Command.
In describing Munday, Graham highlighted his leadership over his career. “The Army has repeatedly entrusted him with some of its most demanding leadership assignments. Whether helping lead the 3rd CavalryRegiment through one of its most challenging periods or serving as the senior enlisted leader for Recruiting Command during one of the Army's most demanding recruiting environments, he has consistently earned that trust through steady leadership, sound judgment and an unwavering commitment to Soldiers.”
“Standing before you today, I'm deeply honored and humbled to be selected as your next command sergeant major,” Munday said. “The Corps of Engineers is more than a unit. It is a community of professionals who build, protect, and serve our nation every day…I promise to give 100% to the Soldiers, civilians, and the families of the command.”
The Change of Responsibility ceremony was followed by a retirement ceremony for Galick where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
In his remarks Galick highlighted his families: the family who raised him, the family he built with his wife, and the family he had in the Army Engineer Regiment. “No matter where I was or no matter what organization I was in, I’d always had the family I needed right in front of me,” Galick said.