JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - With the traditional passing of a sword, Headquarters Company, United States Army bid farewell to 1st Sgt. Brian St. Germaine and welcomed 1st Sgt. Jason L. Gusman during a change of responsibility ceremony Aug. 9 at Spates Community Club on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall.
Company Commander Capt. Ronald A. Carter II, who served as ceremony host, explained that Headquarters Company is the largest and most diverse company in the Army, with more than 5,000 officers, non-commissioned officers and soldiers assigned and attached to more than 200 Department of the Army agencies and staff elements within the National Capital Region.
"First Sgt. St. Germaine has done an outstanding job mastering and balancing the day-to-day duties as first sergeant for this unique company," continued Carter. "I have been in command just short of a year, and I can say without hesitation first sergeant has not let me, nor the company, down."
As an example of St. Germaine's dedication, Carter noted that a typical company first sergeant might give at most 10 to 15 Army physical fitness tests a year.
"First Sgt. St. Germaine has administered over 60 Army physical fitness tests to over 2,000 soldiers within the National Capital Region, and I can guarantee each test was professionally administered to standard," he said.
Carter also said that St. Germaine coached or mentored more than 200 Soldiers in the Army's body composition program and managed more than 4,200 personnel actions in the company with 98 percent accuracy.
"This is just a small example of what first sergeant did on a day-to-day basis," he said.
As company commander, Carter said he depended on St. Germaine to give him "sound advice on every action at all times." Thanking St. Germaine for his service and for being an "outstanding battle buddy," Carter added that "it has been an absolute honor and pleasure to have spent the last 11 months working alongside one of the finest and most dedicated noncommissioned officers I have encountered in my career. I have learned a lot from you, and I've definitely become a better officer due to your guidance and mentorship."
St. Germaine thanked Carter for his words, the soldiers of Headquarters Company and his family for their support. He then said that while he's only known Gusman for two weeks, "in that short time, I can already see his professionalism and outstanding character. He's going to be a great first sergeant."
A native of Houston, Gusman joined the Army in 1994 and his assignments include an overseas tour in Germany. He also deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His stateside assignments include tours at Fort Campbell, Ky., and with Joint Reconnaissance Task Force, Joint Interagency Task Force-National Capital Region.
"I can already tell based on your excitement, intelligence and eagerness that you are the best NCO for the job," Carter said in his welcoming remarks to Gusman. "I am confident that you will continue to move the company forward where First Sergeant St. Germaine left off."
Gusman thanked Headquarters Company commander Lt. Col. Mark Biehl, Carter and Command Sgt. Major Alex Pratt for giving him the opportunity to serve as company first sergeant and thanked St. Germaine for welcoming him to the company.
"I'm ready and I look forward to serving alongside my commander, Captain Carter," he said. "Bulldog Seven signing on."
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