Change of leadership at Fort Leonard Wood NCOA

By Ms. Dawn M Arden (Leonard Wood)February 6, 2015

Change of leadership at Fort Leonard Wood NCOA
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

Command Sgt. Maj. Curtis Johnson relinquished commandancy of the U.S. Army Maneuver Support Center of Excellence Noncommissioned Officers Academy at a relinquishment of command ceremony Jan. 28 in Lincoln Hall Auditorium.

Johnson, who has been commandant since January 2012, is leaving for an assignment at Aberdeen Proving Ground, Maryland.

Johnson spoke of his life's priorities -- faith, Family and profession during his farewell address to a packed auditorium.

"This ceremony is about our profession, it illustrates our customs, our traditions and esprit de corps," Johnson said. "But more importantly it preserves our stewardship of profession."

The MSCoE NCOA provides Army values-based training courses for the Chemical, Engineer and Military Police regiments, including the Ordnance NCO basic course and Warrior Leader Course. The academy has three senior leaders courses and three advanced leaders courses for these regiments.

Johnson has served in a variety of leadership positions to include tours at the National Training Center, California, as the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear observer controller; 87th Chemical Company in Fort Polk, Louisiana, as the 1st sergeant; 61st Chemical Company in Camp Hialeah, South Korea, as the 1st sergeant; Eighth U.S. Army in Camp Yongsan, South Korea, as the CBRN sergeant major; 110th Chemical Battalion (Technical Escort) in Fort Lewis, Washington, as the battalion command sergeant major; and U.S. Pacific Command in Camp H.M. Smith, Hawaii as the senior enlisted advisor.

Johnson's replacement is Command Sgt. Maj. Alma Zeladaparedes who is scheduled to arrive from Dugway Proving Ground, Utah, to become the MSCoE NCOA commandant in March.

Related Links:

Fort Leonard Wood GUIDON Newspaper

Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood