NATICK, Mass. (Jan. 7, 2015) -- In a change of responsibility ceremony Jan. 6, Command Sgt. Maj. Erika M. Gholar took over as U.S. Army Garrison Natick command sergeant major.
Gholar received the garrison colors from Command Sgt. Maj. Robert J. Beausoleil, the outgoing garrison command sergeant major, during the ceremony in Hunter Auditorium. Beausoleil moves on to Fort Riley, Kansas, where he will become the 1st Infantry Division G6 sergeant major.
Gholar comes to Natick from Fort Gordon, Georgia, where she helped establish the Army Cyber Command.
"As you would expect, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience that will serve her well as she begins her time and work here as the garrison command sergeant major," said Lt. Col. Brian R. Greata, Natick's garrison commander. "I'm confident that she's already begun to master the challenge of installation management."
Gholar called it a special day for her and her family.
"Today, I embark (upon) and embrace the responsibility entrusted to me as your command sergeant major," Gholar said. "I'm reminded today of one person that is not able to be with me, and that's my late father, Mr. James Gholar Jr., who was also a Soldier."
Her father had words of wisdom for Gholar as she began her Army career in 1988.
"Take care of Soldiers and the mission, and God will ensure the rest falls in line for you as a leader," Gholar recalled him saying. "I carry that with me my entire career."
Gholar pointed out that the Army's greatest asset is the Soldier.
"It is the focus for the last 60 years of the Natick Soldier Systems Center," said Gholar, "from the Soldiers to the civilians that work here, to make that dedication and commitment of supporting the Soldiers, families and the civilians of our great Army -- the best -- on a daily basis."
Greata bid farewell to Beausoleil, saying that he had served Natick selflessly.
"He's given of himself in so many aspects of the job and demonstrated his commitment to excellence and loyalty in so many ways that I'd well exceed my time to list them all," Greata said. "I think that the wide diversity of organizations represented in today's audience attest to the fact that he's been a great installation and community partner.
"It's safe to say that everyone in this room has been affected by Sergeant Major Beausoleil in one way or another."
Beausoleil said he would miss his time as Natick command sergeant major.
"This is the only position that you can truly have an immediate impact on Soldiers, families and (Army) civilians," Beausoleil said. "I have truly grown professionally and will take the skills I learned with me for a lifetime."
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