FORT HOOD, Texas - Soldiers from the 1st Air Cavalry "Warrior" Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division, gathered to say goodbye to their old command sergeant major and welcome their new senior noncommissioned officer during a change of responsibility ceremony June 26.
Sutter Creek, Calif., native Command Sgt. Maj. Scott Spiva passed his responsibility of the Warriors to Dallas native Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Vela, in one of the brigade's aircraft hangers at Robert Gray Army Airfield.
In attendance for the ceremony was Maj. Gen. Daniel P. Bolger, commanding general, 1st Cav. Div.; Cleveland native Col. Douglas Gabram, commander of the Warriors and other distinguished guests and family members.
Spiva, who kept the Warriors in check during a 15-month deployment to Iraq, is headed for a milder climate in Fort Lewis, Wash.
He had nothing but praise for the troopers of 1st ACB during his final remarks.
"I know everyone has heard over and over about the great achievements made by the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade: over 94,000 combat hours (flown), 16-plus million gallons of fuel (pumped) ... the list goes on and on," he said with pride.
Spiva quickly added that although records were set by the Warriors during their last deployment, they should only move upwards from this point forward.
"What I would challenge you to do now is move on and start a new chapter in the history of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Cavalry Division ... I expect to see and hear great things about the Air Cav. during the upcoming months and during your upcoming deployment to Iraq," said Spiva.
The incoming sergeant major, Command Sgt. Maj. Glen Vela, who moved from 615th Aviation Support "Cold Steel" Battalion, 1st ACB, said he was ready to take on his comrade's challenge.
"I love a challenge and I'm ready to get started in the next chapter of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade and the 1st Cavalry Division," he said.
Vela continued with a promise to his former sergeant major.
"I know you will be with us in spirit; because I know how much you love this brigade ... I promise we will make you proud," said Vela during his remarks.
He also bragged about the warrior qualities embedded in his Soldiers.
"We are the ones that our ground brothers call if they get in a bind or if they need a Soldier (medically evacuated). Anywhere, any time - we will be there," he said.
With the remarks from both sergeants major complete, it was time to say goodbye and usher in new chapter of the 1st Air Cavalry Brigade's history.
A reception followed afterwards. Soldiers had the chance to wish their former command sergeant major the best of luck and officially welcome their new command sergeant major.
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