FORT SILL, Okla. -- Fort Sill welcomed Command Sgt. Maj. David Carr, its new garrison CSM, and said goodbye to Command Sgt. Maj. Thomas Miller Aug. 7 in a change of responsibility ceremony in front of McNair Hall.
"I am no stranger to Fort Sill. In fact, I owe an awful lot to her. So with that in mind my number one priority as your garrison command sergeant major is to pay it forward," said Carr.
Carr thanked his wife, Leila for taking on this mission with him and supporting him throughout his Army career. He also publicly congratulated her making the selection to captain with a quick, "I love you ma'am."
Col. Glenn Waters, Fort Sill Garrison commander, said the garrison, once again, could not have asked for a better command sergeant major than Carr.
"Your record of success and accomplishments are well known throughout this area and the Army. I know for certain you are the best person for this job."
Waters had to take some time to thank Miller for helping him throughout his command here.
"It is said that good leaders inspire others with the confidence in him, while great leaders inspire others with confidence in themselves. CSM Miller is that leader.
"When we first sat down for our commander-command sergeant major talk you said, 'Sir, I know you've been deployed a few times, and I know you've had hard jobs, but this job is every day. It requires us to remain calm and steady and see the light at the end of the tunnel.' He told me, 'Sir, I've got your back.' CSM you did have my back in everything."
Waters listed some of the challenges they faced in their time together to include multiple commanders, government shutdowns, furloughs, flash floods, which he said were very "exciting" and left he and Miller looking at each other and asking, "What's next?"
"Six snow falls, two small ice storms, tasks from Fort Sill, tasks from IMCOM and the list goes on and on. Sprinkle in an unaccompanied children mission, multiple VIP visits and the normal Soldier and civilian issues that we face every day and the Oklahoma weather -- that's a full plate for anybody. Command Sergeant Major Miller no matter how big or small the task you were always up for the challenge and your contagious positive attitude and joking manner made these challenges much more easy to face.
"One last thing, don't fall out."
Miller received the Legion of Merit and his wife, LaFaye, received the Commander's Award for Public Service.
Miller thanked his wife who was in attendance just a week out from major back surgery.
"As I said earlier, without God I would have been nothing, but without God blessing me with you I can honestly say nothing I have accomplished would have been worth it," said Miller.
He talked about how much pride he had in serving the Army family. He said as the garrison command sergeant major he was not only able to affect one brigade of Soldiers and family members, but the entire post and the surrounding community.
"If you would've asked me a few years ago what my thoughts and feelings were about becoming the Fort Sill Garrison command sergeant major, my response would've been very simple. It's an opportunity to serve. Although that was easy for me to say, I had no idea what this experience would really be like. And, here I am two years later. I am in awe of the awesome opportunity I've had to be a part of the garrison team."
He said he quickly learned the task was not one he could accomplish alone, and he was inspired by those working alongside him.
"I've learned so much in the last two years about our awesome talented and professional Department of the Army civilian workforce. Not only are they talented, but truly how professional, how dedicated and how committed they are when it comes to serving America's finest."
Miller said he enjoyed rolling up his sleeves daily to work alongside Waters and commented on them as a
dynamic duo.
"With my southern drawl and your New York quickness, certainly we had all bases covered. Everybody
knows that you talk real fast sir, so you got to get it quick."
Miller said goodbye and told Carr he truly was envious of his new assignment.
"Every day will be full of excitement and high adventure. Enjoy the ride, focus on the team and be committed to serving the Army family."
Carr said he was optimistic about his new assignment.
"As I take my place alongside Colonel Waters, I'll put all of my efforts, energy and focus into leaving Fort Sill better than I found her. I'm truly proud to be here and ready to serve. I look forward to continuing to build this dynamic team of teams," he said.
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