10th Mountain Division welcomes new senior noncommissioned officer

By Sgt. 1st Class Kenneth A. FossJanuary 23, 2014

10th Mountain Division welcomes new senior noncommissioned officer
Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney R. "Ray" Lewis, 10th Mountain Division (LI) senior enlisted adviser, addresses the audience during a change of responsibility ceremony Friday at Magrath Sports Complex. Lewis accepted responsibility of the division from Comma... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT DRUM, N.Y. -- On the cusp of a deployment to Afghanistan, the 10th Mountain Division (LI) welcomed a new senior enlisted adviser.

Leaders of the 10th Mountain Division held a change of responsibility ceremony Friday at Magrath Sports Complex where Command Sgt. Maj. Rick Merritt handed responsibility of the division to Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney R. "Ray" Lewis, entrusting him with the welfare of the Mountain Soldiers as they soon begin their mission in Regional Command-East, Afghanistan.

Lewis assumed responsibility of the historic division during a pivotal time for the headquarters element as Soldiers prepare to deploy to Afghanistan one more time.

This infantryman is no stranger to the Middle East; most notable is his deployment as command sergeant major of 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division, in support of Operation New Dawn as the last brigade to serve in Baghdad, Iraq.

"I am prepared to maintain the readiness of the division, the development of our leaders, maintaining a world-class Army installation in the community and to strengthen the profession of arms," Lewis said. "Climb to Glory."

Merritt, who was responsible for the training and development of Fort Drum Soldiers since February 2012, was not able to lead the Soldiers of the division on this deployment as he had many times in the past due to medical issues.

The command sergeant major has led Soldiers throughout his 30-year career and nearly 57 months of combat time in Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia and Panama. For so many years, leading Soldiers into battle has been second nature to him.

Merritt said he never thought that medical issues would prevent him from deploying with the Soldiers he serves.

"My body has failed me, but I will not give up," he said. "I learned many years ago that your mind controls the body, and I will fight back."

Maj. Gen. Stephen J. Townsend, Fort Drum and 10th Mountain Division (LI) commander, said Merritt was the epitome and example of what "right" looks like.

Townsend went on to say that Lewis is the correct choice as senior noncommissioned officer to develop and take care of Fort Drum Soldiers in Afghanistan and at home station.

Merritt will continue his service to the country in the Washington, D.C., area.

Lewis previously served as command sergeant major for 1st Stryker Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, out of Fort Wainwright, Alaska. He brings 32 years of experience to the division.